An Isle of Wight shoplifter who stole a trampoline and a vacuum cleaner in a five-month £400 shoplifting spree has been handed a conditional discharge.

Timothy Saunders, of Heathfield Road in Freshwater, attended the IW Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, October 15.

The 29-year-old pleaded guilty to six counts of shoplifting and one count of failing to surrender to custody, namely magistrates’ court on September 27.

Liz Miller, prosecuting, said that at 2.45pm on September 11, Saunders entered Ape Vapes in Newport and stole two disposable vapes to the value of £30.

Ms Miller said the shop manager flagged down a police officer, and Saunders was found inside Pets at Heart on Holyrood Street and arrested at 4pm.

While in custody, Saunders was also charged with the following:

  • Theft of clothing, valued at around £100, from TK Maxx in Newport on April 25
  • Theft of a trampoline worth £129 from Asda in Newport on July 21
  • Theft of a Vax-branded vacuum cleaner, valued at £139, from B&M in Newport on August 19
  • Theft of a crate of Budweiser and a pack of chicken wings, worth £25, from Tesco Express in Newport on August 27 and 28.

Asda from aboveAsda from above (Image: IWCP) Oscar Vincent, defending, said his client was previously a man of good character, then all of a sudden, in April, his shoplifting streak began.

This is due to a “negative change in circumstances,” citing family breakdown, homelessness and mental health issues, the court heard.

Mr Vincent requested that magistrates consider ordering a pre-sentence report ahead of sentencing, with the expectation of a low-level community order.

Magistrates declined the request, instead deciding to give Saunders a two-year conditional discharge.

Saunders was ordered to pay compensation to the affected businesses.