Man jailed for clipper theft

Neil Terrance Blake, 43, of Wilcox Green, Wingfield, admitted one charge of theft at Rotherham Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The court heard that Blake was spotted by security at a Boots store in Rotherham on 20th April.

While in the shop Blake was seen to select two sets of hair clippers worth £119.98 before walking out of the shop without making any attempt to pay for them.

The court heard he had been watched throughout and was apprehended. The police were called and he was arrested.

The two stolen items were recovered by the store.

In interview Blake admitted the offence to police officers.

He told them that had he got away with the theft, he was planning to sell the clippers so he could buy a coach ticket to go and see his girlfriend.

Michelle Converay, defending, told the court that Blake had been given a suspended prison sentence on Friday 19th April for the theft of two joints of meat.

“It was after that that he got a telephone call from his girlfriend, who lives in Devon,” said Miss Converay.

She said that after the conversation Blake was worried about her, and decided he needed to go and see her.

“He didn’t have any money to fund his ticket to travel and see her so he stole the items,” continued Miss Converay.

“His intention was to sell those items in order to purchase a train or coach ticket to Devon.”

“He knows that that is no excuse to commit offences such as this,” she added.

Miss Converay also told the court that Blake was currently seeking help with a number of personal issues.

“He is seeking to address his alcohol issues and is also getting support with underlying mental health issues,” she said.

The bench activated Blake’s suspended sentence order, which was made on 19th April, committing him to prison for 16 weeks.

They also sentenced him to a further eight weeks in custody for the second theft. They ordered that the sentences run consecutively.

No order for costs was made due to the custodial sentence imposed.