ASDA and TK Maxx thief returns to court to admit stealing from Tesco

Graham Davis, of Bridge Street, Worcester, was back at Worcester Magistrates Court to admit theft from a shop.

We reported last month the 40-year-old appeared at the court when he admitted stealing a £269.99 Hoover from ASDA and three t-shirts, worth £150, from TK Maxx.

c_Graham Davis leaving Worester Magistrates Court in September. Picture: Sam Greenway/Newsquest (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)

On that occasion, magistrates tried to curb his behaviour by giving him a 12- month conditional discharge, warning him any future offending would be punished.

At the court on Tuesday, (October 18), prosecutor Sarah Hurd told magistrates: "You will notice the dates.

"On September 1 he is given a conditional discharge. 

"On September 12 he is committing these offences. 

"He walks into Tesco Express, Foregate Street, at 7pm. 

THIEF: Graham Davis stole from the Tesco Express store in Foregate Street, Worcester. Pictures: Sam Greenway/Newsquest (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)

"He takes five bottles of washing detergent before leaving the store without offering payment."

The prosecutor said an officer later viewed Tesco's CCTV and identified Davis, leading to his arrest.

In police interview, Davis fully accepted he had stolen from the supermarket, telling officers he sold the stolen bottles for £20.

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Ms Hurd added his 27 previous convictions - including previously being jailed for thefts  - meant he did not have a "persuasive record."

Jason Patel, defending, said Davis' issue had been a long-standing heroin addiction.

Mr Patel explained Davis had come off a methadone script and relapsed into heroin use, stealing the detergent to raise money for drugs.

"He is now back on the methadone script," Mr Patel said. 

COURT: Graham Davis has returned to Worcester Magistrates Court

"His history shows, once on a methadone script, he abides by it and there is no offending."

Harris Markou, chairman of the magistrates bench, said: "We are not wishing to put you in prison.

"Prolific thieves go to prison - you have been there before.

"If you keep offending you will end up in prison again."

Davis was fined £80 for the theft and £80 for the breach of the conditional discharge.

He was ordered to pay costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £32.

Davis was also told to pay compensation to Tesco of £42.50.

Magistrates agreed the total, £369.50, could be added to the £1,573 Davis already owes the court being deducted from his benefits.