A drugged-up burglar has been jailed after targeting a city centre pub and vintage clothing store.
Liam Percival first gained entry to BrewDog, in Newcastle, by smashing window before making-off with bottles of booze, a coat, an Amazon tablet and a wallet. A court heard that the 30-year-old then broke into DRIP Clothing, on High Bridge Street, also Newcastle, and stole nearly £800-worth worth of clothes.
The police were called after the second break-in and Percival, who matched a description given to officers, was found hiding nearby. All the clothing items were recovered.
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Now, Percival, of Armstrong Road, in Scotswood, Newcastle, has been jailed for six months after he pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary of a non-dwelling. Newcastle Magistrates' Court was told he was also on a community order at the time, which he had not been complying well with.
Prosecutor, Elizabeth Winchester, said Percival first targeted BrewDog on December 6 last year. She added: "The bar closed at 1am and it was locked and secured at that point. The defendant smashed a window before climbing inside the building.
"At this point, the owners don't know the cost of the damage. The defendant took bottles of alcohol and an Amazon tablet, valued at £60. A staff member's coat was also stolen, which had his wallet inside. A statement from the coat's owner said the coat was worth £80."
The court heard that Percival then targeted DRIP Clothing on January 23 this year by breaking some shutter doors to gain access to the premises. He made-off with 12 items of clothing, worth £726. Those items were, however, subsequently recovered when police found the crook hiding nearby.
Kate Matthews, defending, said Percival, who has 56 offences on his record, had been struggling to address his drug problem, adding: "He has been living on the streets and associating with other drug users. He's found it difficult to attend community order appointments.
"He does want to receive a term of imprisonment today as it will give him the chance to come off the drugs."
Magistrates granted Percival's wish and locked him up for six months. He must also pay £80 compensation for the coat and £85 costs.
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