A shoplifter threw a water bottle at a store manager who gave chase after he left a Co-Op with a basket of groceries. Thomas Courtney had gone on a shoplifting spree around North West Leicestershire in June last year when the incident happened.
The 37-year-old entered the Co-op in Ashby’s Derby Road and grabbed various items worth £59, put them in a basket and walked out of the store before the manager chased after him. After throwing the bottle he escaped, got in his car and drove six miles to nearby Whitwick.
Courtney then entered the Co-op in Whitwick’s Market Place, near Coalville, where he stole another £40 of groceries but as he left the store with the shopping basket the police were waiting for him. As they approached him he told them: “I haven’t paid for these”.
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The Whitwick Co-op was targeted by Courtney earlier the same day
(Image: Google)
Courtney’s car registration plate had linked him to the earlier Ashby incident and those stolen items were found inside his car. Leicester Magistrates Court heard on Thursday (January 9) that he had never been caught stealing before, only having convictions for assault and driving offences.
Court was told the water bottle he threw had hit the manager in the head but had not caused any injury. Sukhdev Bisla, representing Courtney, said that when the offences occurred his client was “going through a difficult time” being homeless and using cocaine on a daily basis.
He asked the magistrates to take into account the fact his client was now settled and using far less cocaine. He said: “That was the reason for these offences. Thankfully he now has stability in his life and he lives with his mother and his cocaine use has significantly reduced.”
Mr Bisla said Courtney, of Chiltern Avenue, Cosby, was unemployed but actively looking for work. In court, the 37-year-old pleaded guilty to two shop thefts and one count of assault by beating for throwing the water bottle at the manager.
The magistrates gave Countney a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £85 court costs and a £26 victim surcharge. He told them: “Thank you very much.”