A prolific thief from Hitchin who has more than 100 previous convictions has been jailed again.
Stephen Cox, of Wilshere Crescent, was jailed for 12 weeks on Saturday – consecutive to a 90-day sentence imposed in lieu of fines, making a total of more than half a year.
The 49-year-old pleaded guilty to stealing food worth £5.48 from Esso in Hitchin on August 13, goods worth £26.96 from the town’s WHSmith on August 30, and £34.99 worth of items from Lloyds Pharmacy on Friday last week when he appeared at Hatfield Remand Court.
The bench, chaired by Stephen Godshaw, noted that this shoplifting came after some 106 previous theft offences – and jailed Cox.
In addition to the jail term, Cox must pay a total of £32.44 in compensation for the stolen goods.
Cox’s previous offences include an incident last September when an off-duty police officer caught him in the act of theft at a Letchworth supermarket – after which he was jailed for 20 weeks.
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