A passerby snared a prolific thief by using his mobile phone to bravely film him burgling a city centre shop.
Serial crook, Lee Robson, was on police and court bail for offences of shoplifting when he smashed a window at Castore, in Newcastle, and made-off with hundreds of pounds worth of sports clothing. Unfortunately for him, an eagle-eyed member of public spotted what the 40-year-old was doing and recorded him on his mobile, a court was told.
The footage was handed to the police and an officer was able to identify Robson and he was later arrested. Now, the drug addict, of Saint Cuthbert's Court, in Gateshead, has been locked up for 11 months after he admitted non-dwelling burglary and six counts of shop theft.
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Joe Culley, prosecuting at Newcastle Crown Court, said Robson first targeted Sainsbury's, in Newcastle Central Station, four times in two weeks in April this year, stealing a total of £80-worth of coffee and washing tablets. He was arrested on April 8 and bailed.
However, on April 28, Robson wandered into JD Sports, on Northumberland Street, and made-off with £440-worth of jackets. Not content with that haul, the thief returned the following day and attempted to steal £440-worth of Armani trousers.
On that occasion, the store security guard spotted Robson and gave chase, catching up with him nearby and recovering the stolen goods. While being detained for that theft, he was identified from CCTV as being responsible for the offence the previous day.
Mr Culley told the court that, on May 6 this year and while on court and police bail for the shoplifting offences, Robson struck again. Mr Culley added: "Two males smashed the glass entrance door of Castore, on Blackett Street. They stole a number of items of clothing, valued at around £500. The damage to the door was £200 for protective boarding then £895 for repairs.
"The defendant was identified by a police officer after viewing footage taken by a member of public who witnessed the incident. They bravely recorded the incident on their mobile phone. The commission of the offence was in clear public view, although the store was closed."
The court heard that Robson had 79 offences on his record and was last jailed for stabbing someone in the arm in August 2021. He had only just finished his licence period when he committed the latest thefts.
Fiona Lamb, defending, said Robson had stolen the goods in order to sell and fund his drug habit. She added: "He's a long-standing user of drugs and had missed his script at the time and went thieving to get money for drugs."
