A SHOPLIFTER with an ‘appalling record’ of 57 previous convictions for theft has been jailed after admitting five more charges, including stealing a Hugo Boss wallet and Dior perfume from a department store.
As well as the thefts, James Craig Ring (35) also admitted two charges of possessing cannabis, and was sentenced to a total of five months and one week in prison.
Advocate Adam Harrison, prosecuting, told the Magistrate’s Court that Ring entered de Gruchy department store on 17 May last year, put a Hugo Boss wallet in his pocket and walked out without paying.
He returned on 11 June and stole four polo shirts and a pair of shorts.
The police discovered the items at his home on 7 July, along with 390 milligrams of herbal cannabis.
‘He said he had bought the wallet from a friend,’ the advocate said.
On 7 August last year he stole a pair of trainers from the changing rooms in Aquasplash, and on 20 February this year he took three boxes of Dior perfume from Boot’s, which he had hidden in his backpack.
On 22 July he stole another two bottles of Dior perfume from de Gruchy – while on bail on condition that he did not enter the shop.
‘On 26 July he was arrested, and police found another small quantity of cannabis,’ Advocate Harrison said.
Ring had been due to attend the Magistrate’s Court the next day but failed to turn up.
Advocate Chris Baglin, defending, asked for his client to be granted ‘the opportunity to prove himself’. He said he accepted that Ring was considered at high-risk of reconviction but said: ‘He is an intelligent young man who is aware of the consequences of what he does, but which doesn’t seem to stop him. Clearly he needs some assistance with that.’
He added: ‘Mr Ring has said: “I want to be a good dad. I want to look after my partner and I want to look after my son.”
‘When he is working he works well. He is happy to do anything the court asks of him.’
But Relief Magistrate David Le Cornu told Ring: ‘You have an appalling record and you are a persistent offender.
‘You have already been given many opportunities. I have no option but to impose a custodial sentence.’
Ring was also ordered to pay £1,186 in compensation after his release.
