A serial thief has avoided jail after stealing £3,500 worth of clothes and booze from stores.
During his latest shoplifting spree, cunning Craig McLean first used a de-tagging device, magnet and foil to remove a tag from an expensive jacket in Flannels, in Newcastle city centre. However, staff became suspicious after he emerged from a changing room and he was found in possession the coat and theft aids, a court heard.
Six months later, the 43-year-old moved his criminal enterprise to York, where he targeted Flannels, Fenwick and Marks and Spencer, making off with £3,500 worth of designer goods and alcohol in a fortnight. But, despite changing his location, McLean was still finally recognised and was arrested once again.
