News Prison warning for teenager who went on video game and toiletry shoplifting spree
A man who pinched a PlayStation game tried to evade capture by breaking its security shell and shoving the package down his trousers.
But Elliott Coverdale's plan backfired after he was caught and found himself hauled before Goole magistrates.
Mr Coverdale appeared in court this week where he pleaded guilty to theft at the Tesco store on Boothferry Road, Goole.
The theft happened just four hours after the 19-year-old stole from the the Boyes home and family shop in Wesley Square.
Mr Coverdale, of Parliament Street in Goole, pleaded guilty to both offences.
John Owston, prosecuting, said the unemployed teenager stole toiletries from Boyes worth £14.73.
He was stopped by staff but managed to wriggle free and made good his escape, leaving behind the stolen items as he fled.
Four hours later he went to Tesco and took a PlayStation game from the shelf.
The court was told Mr Coverdale broke the security shell by stamping on it in an attempt to evade detection as he walked out of the store.
Mr Owston said that, in commiting these offences, Mr Coverdale was in breach of a 12-month community order imposed by Goole magistrates in June last year.
He added that he had committed the thefts just two days before the order - handed down for a shoplifting offence - was due to expire.
Mr Owston said Mr Coverdale had committed a number of thefts in the past which had resulted in breaches of community orders and, ultimately, a detention and training order in August, 2006.
James Gray, defending, said Mr Coverdale, who had been drinking on the day of the thefts, was looking for work and "sometimes finds himself at a loose end".
Clive Vertigans, chairman of the bench, warned Mr Coverdale he would be going to jail if he carried on committing crimes.
Magistrates fined him £75 for breaching the community order and gave him a conditional discharge for the two new offences.
He was also ordered to pay £43 prosecution costs.
Published on 5th June 2008 in News.
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