Sunderland thief stole purple torch and Ray-Ban sunglasses in 'disturbing' car raids

A thief has heard first-hand the upset he has caused the victims of his crimes after being hauled into court for stealing from cars.
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Thomas Hackett, 32, of Azalea Terrace South, Sunderland, listened to victim statements in which one women revealed how she wakes in fear each day that her vehicle has been attacked.

Another said he was disturbed by the thought a criminal had been through his belongings and now felt a loss of trust with people.

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Magistrates in South Tyneside heard Hackett was drunk when found by police with stolen goods after three quick car break-ins on Monday, July 1.

The case was heard at South Tyneside Magistrates' CourtThe case was heard at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court
The case was heard at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court

A partner-in-crime fled the scene on a motorbike and Hackett, who would not identify him, was left to carry the can, the court was told.

He pleaded guilty to a charge sheet of stealing a purple torch from a 63-plate Hyundai belonging to a woman, and taking a £100 pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses from an 18-reg Hyundai Tuscan belonging to a man

He also confessed to stealing a denim jacket and grey hoody from a 61-plate Hyundai, owned by a female student.

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Prosecutor Paul Anderson said a police officer found Hackett carrying a backpack containing items identified by the victims as being from the break-ins.

He said: “What he says when is interviewed is effectively nothing, which he is entitled to do.”

Mr Anderson said the second woman’s victim statement revealed hers was the second car break-in to hit her family in a short space of time.

The student said repairs had cost £95, which had had a “significant impact” on her financially.

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The first woman’s statement told how Hackett’s actions had cost her £210 and that she had had to take time off work to attend the scene.

In it, she added: “I work hard for my belongings, I don’t expect them to be damaged or stolen.”

And the male victim said: “It is disturbing to think that someone has been through my car. I’m at a loss trusting people now.”

Peter Thubron, defending Hackett, who has no previous convictions, said: “There is no excuse, but he was well intoxicated. Someone less intoxicated has jumped on a bike and got away.

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“He doesn’t know why he got into this situation. It wasn’t planned, it wasn’t agreed.

“For some reason, his mate must have had an idea. He’s ended up in difficulties.

“There’s some harm to individuals, some inconvenience. To him, there’s the loss of his good name.”

Mr Thubron said it was possible Hackett would not get future work through the agency which employs him, adding: “One wonders if he will be kept on, a convicted thief.”

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Chairman of the bench, John Lee, told Hackett he did not understand what had possessed him to get involved in the crime.

He added: “Let’s hope this was a one-off. We don’t want to see you in court again.”

Hackett, who pleaded guilty to three charges of theft from a motor vehicle, was handed a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £210 compensation to the first woman and £95 to the female student.

He must also pay £85 court costs and a £21 victim surcharge.