Sunderland thief acted as lookout after bumping into shop raiding friend on holiday

Steven Churchill, 43, was staying at a country lodge in Northumberland when he agreed to the £150 criminal ruse on April 22.

He kept watch while his pal pocketed at least three bottles of a clear spirit, likely to have been vodka, from the outlet in Alnwick.

Churchill, of Church Street North, in Roker, initially denied an allegation of theft from a shop but changed his plea a month before his planned trial.

Prosecutor Carlie McArdle told magistrates in South Tyneside: “The defendant and another have attended M&S.

“The co-defendant has concealed bottles of alcohol in his jacket, with the assistance of the defendant.

“The co-defendant has been dealt with and was not ordered to pay compensation.

“The defendant has 20 previous convictions from 51 offences, 20 of which are for theft and he was last before a court in June 2023 for an unrelated offence.

“This matter was listed for a trial, which was due to start on November 20.”

Churchill pleaded guilty to one count each of theft from a shop and failing to surrender to custody on September 9 at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court.

Joanne Gatens, defending, told magistrates: “A month before the trial he indicated a guilty plea. I would submit he should get 25 percent credit.

“In terms of an estimated value of the goods taken, it would appear that the other male picked up about three bottles of vodka.

“The defendant’s guilty plea is on the basis that he was acting as lookout. He didn’t take anything but as lookout has assisted.

“He was staying at a lodge for a birthday and bumped into someone who he knew from Sunderland and they committed this offence. He had a very limited role.

“He failed to attend court because he got his days mixed up.”

Magistrates ordered Churchill to pay M&S £75 compensation and fined him £135 as well as ordering him to pay £85 court costs and a £54 victim surcharge.