Repeat offender spared jail

3:28pm Wednesday 21st May 2008

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An Abbots Langley man convicted of shop lifting, criminal damage and driving without insurance or a licence has escaped a jail sentence.

Spencer Simpson, 29, of South Way stole £150 of shopping from the Co Op in New Road, Croxley Green on Thursday, November 29 and was caught driving a van in January just days after damaging a window in Tudor Way, Rickmansworth.

At Dacorum Magistrates Court yesterday, Richard Yap, prosecuting, said Simpson, who has numerous previous convictions, had entered the Co-Op store, filled up a trolley, walked out without making any attempt to pay, got in a car and drove off.

Simpson had previously pleaded guilty and sentencing had been adjourned.

Patrick O'Reilly, defending, conceded his client had been before the courts on a number of occasions. Simpson had suffered problems in his formative years, but was working to deal with his difficulties, which include past substance abuse, he said.

Simpson asked for three other offences of theft to be taken into consideration, including a theft from the Shell petrol station in Croxley Green in January.

Chairman of the bench Mr Craigan went along with probation's recommendation in the report and imposed an 18-month community order, which includes a ten-day basic skills course.

He was given six points for the motoring offences.

The bench ordered that £398.96 be taken deducted from Simpson's benefits.