Another offence for serial resort shoplifter

Glen Stacey, who is approaching his 400th offence, is on a CRASBO (criminal anti-social behaviour order) to keep him out of Blackpool town centre because of his record.

Stacey, 56, of Alexandra Road, South Shore, pleaded guilty to theft of a copy of Grazia magazine and attempted theft of a lamb joint - but was not jailed.

The serial shoplifter has 281 previous convictions which comprise 395 offences.

He was sentenced to 28 days jail suspended for six months and ordered to pay £15.33 compensation with a £150 court charge by District Judge Jeff Brailsford sitting at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court.

The judge told him: “I might have hoped when you got to 281 convictions you might have thought about stopping your offending, which is low level but repeated dishonesty.”

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said Stacey was seen in the resort’s Aldi store, on Parkinson Way, hiding a magazine in his bag and biting the paper security tag off a lamb joint on September 5.

The prosecutor said: “The defendant has a very extensive record for similar offending.”

Michael Woosnam, defending, said Stacey had previously been sentenced to a prison term for shoplifting and on August 11 he was released from jail.

Stacey had made an application for benefits, but was told on August 25 he would have to reapply.

He had no money so he stole the magazine from Aldi for his girlfriend. Stacey had also intended stealing the lamb with a view to selling it.