Court hears how a prolific South Tyneside shoplifter has the public’s support
A former South Tyneside business boss jailed for his latest shoplifts has the public on his side in his bid to turn his life around, a court heard.
Michael Wright, 36, has been praised on social media by people he had positively influenced before his life spiralled into drug addiction, his solicitor revealed.
Defence lawyer Alastair Naismith said previous media coverage of Wright’s offending had invoked sympathy and support from those who knew him in his past law-abiding life.
Borough magistrates also urged Wright to “grasp the nettle” of support being offered and get himself “out of the gutter”.
But they then jailed him for 14 weeks for his latest misdemeanours - and also heard he owes a staggering £17,136.50 in past offending debts.
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Wright committed six shop thefts – taking almost £500 of goods – just days after being released on licence from a previous prison term for stealing.
He targeted two Tesco branches in South Shields a total of four times and the Co-op’s store at Whitburn twice, between Monday, March 2, and Monday, March 9.
In a theft from Tesco’s outlet in Marsden Lane on Sunday, March 8, he even pinched a shopping basket.
Prosecutor John Garside said Wright took £113 of wine from Tesco’s Marsden Lane outlet on March 2.
On the same day, he stole £50 of laundry products from the Co-op, and the next day £90 of alcohol, again from Tesco, in Marsden Lane.
On Thursday, March 5, he swiped £52 of laundry items and a sandwich from the Co-op, and finished his spree by taking £50 of meat from Tesco at the Nook, on March 9.
Mr Garside said of Wright, who pleaded guilty to six counts of theft: “He was very frank with police, saying that he shoplifts ‘every day’.”
The Probation Service said he had since failed to attend any appointments with a drug recovery support service.
Mr Naismith told magistrates: “You’ve probably all experienced Mr Wright before. He’s someone who has quite a sad history.
“He was a business owner who employed a lot of young people. He started taking cocaine. He lost his business, his home and his family and ended up on the streets.
“When he came out of prison, he was street homeless. He’s been buying drugs to get through the day.
“He’s someone who simultaneously wants help but can’t accept help. When the Gazette puts stories online about him, people are sad to see him in this position.”
Jailing Wright, John Lee, chair of the bench, said: “You come across as a very pleasant and articulate individual and that’s borne out by the fact you used to have a business and used to employ people.
“It’s very sad that you find yourself in this position. You’re in the gutter, Mr Wright, and there’s only one way up from the gutter.
“There are people above the gutter who are trying to help and hold their hands out. You need to hold your hands out and accept the help you desperately need.”
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