A one-man “walking crime spree” who stole thousands of pounds worth of designer clothes and cosmetics from retailers in Belfast has been jailed for six months.
Craig-Lee Williamson, 31, targeted stores across the city to take high-price goods over a two-month period last year.
Williamson, of Victor Place in Belfast, pleaded guilty to five counts of theft and a further offence of going equipped for theft.
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The city’s Magistrates Court heard he stole Ralph Lauren, Diesel and Gucci gift sets valued at £335 from Boots at Donegall Place on December 30.
Two jackets worth £438 were taken from House of Fraser at Victoria Square on the same date.
Prosecutors also detailed two earlier shoplifting incidents at another Boots branch on the Cregagh Road.
Four electric toothbrushes with a value of £240 were stolen on November 10, and two weeks later he returned to take a hair roller set costing £35.
With the thefts captured on CCTV footage, Williamson accepted responsibility.
In a separate theft at House of Fraser, he stole items of clothing worth £1,525 on December 5.
He had gone equipped with a type of foil-lined bag used in attempts to evade store detectors, according to the prosecution.
Defence counsel Conn O’Neill stressed his client made full admissions.
“He got himself embroiled in a drugs lifestyle,” the barrister added.
Following submissions, District Judge Anne Marshall decided the “multitude” of thefts warranted an immediate prison term.
Imposing a six-month sentence, she observed: “From November to December last year he was a walking crime spree at shops in the city… stealing high-value items for resale.
“It might do him some good to have some time in custody so he can’t commit further offences and can have a long, hard think.”
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