A prolific Pembroke Dock shoplifter who couldn’t resist stealing ‘Irresistible’ items from a local store has been jailed again.
Forty-one-year-old Luke Brummitt, of Queen Street, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday, to plead guilty to three counts of theft.
The defendant admitted stealing items to the value of £55.85 such as Irresistible pizzas, ham, ice cream and vodka over a four day period earlier this month from the Co-op store in Pembroke.
The court heard how Mr. Brummitt described as a ‘prolific shoplifter’ by prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, stole three pizzas, multiple packs of ice cream and other food stuff worth £28.95 from the store on Thursday, June 6, before returning two days later to take two packs of ham and three chocolate bars worth £10.90 without paying for the items.
On Sunday, June 9 he was spotted acting suspiciously by the store detective, and on viewing CCTV footage, Mr. Brummitt was seen to leave the store with a bottle of vodka worth £16.
“By the time the defendant was spoke to by police the vodka had gone. Store CCTV was checked from the previous days and Mr. Brummitt was seen stealing the other items,” explained Mr. Pritchard-Jones, who told the court that the defendant’s most recent sentences had all been custodial.
Probation officer Julie Norman told the court that the latest offences were committed whilst Mr. Brummitt was still on licence after his latest release from prison.
Defence solicitor Jonathan Webb told the court that his client had been handed a 20 week sentence at the start of the year and admitted that his record was ‘unsavoury’.
“We all know about Mr. Brummitt, and little can be added to what has already been said.
“What I will say is that this is the longest that he has stayed out of trouble for some time.
“The offences all boil down to finances, as he is short of money. He does have a drink problem as well.
“He has tried his best to lead a pro-social life in recent months, but when he is short of money, he reverts to type,” added Mr. Webb.
Chairman of the magistrates David Simpson told Mr.Brummitt when sentencing that only he could stop the cycle of offending.
“If you want to spend half your time in prison then that’s entirely up to you, but I would suggest to you not to go on any more shoplifting sprees if you want to stay out of jail, as we have no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence today,” he remarked.
Mr. Brummitt was committed to prison for 20 weeks and ordered to pay compensation of £55.85 to the Pembroke store.
He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £150 victim surcharge.