Whitwell shoplifter ordered to pay £446.46 after two thefts

A thief who targeted a Co-op store twice in two days has been ordered to pay £446.46 in fines, costs and charges.
Chesterfield magistrates' court.Chesterfield magistrates' court.
Chesterfield magistrates' court.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard how Robert McClune, 49, of Station Road, Whitwell, stole wine and beer from the shop, at Whitwell.

Prosecuting solicitor Becky Allsop told the court hearing on December 2: “These were thefts from the same shop where CCTV footage showed him walking into the store and going to the alcohol aisle and stealing items.”

The court heard how McClune stole two bottles of wine on October 22 and stole two bottles of wine and a crate of beer on October 24.

McClune pleaded guilty to committing the two thefts.

Mrs Allsop added that McClune received a caution in April for a previous shop theft and a fixed penalty notice in August, last year, for a shop theft.

Defence solicitor Julie Page said: “He accepts consuming the alcohol but there is no ongoing alcohol dependency involved.

“He was actively employed and worked on the railways and on building sites but he has struggled not having work available to him.

“But he has been offered work on the railways from January subject to a qualification and a medical.

“If he gets back into employment this silly spate of offending should come to an end.”

Magistrates fined McClune £160 for the thefts and ordered him to pay £31.46 in compensation, a £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs and a £150 courts charge.