Shoplifter led staff on chase

From the archive, first published Saturday 26th Nov 2005.

A DRUG addict who moved to Swindon to leave behind his life of crime has appeared in court charged with theft.

Andrew Newton, of Culvery Court, Penhill, had only been in the town a matter of weeks before he was back to his old ways.

At Swindon Magistrates' Court on Wednesday Newton, 31, pleaded guilty to shoplifting .

The court heard how Newton, originally from the north of England, had led Debenhams security staff on a chase through the town centre after stealing £72 worth of Calvin Klein underwear on Tuesday.

The chase carried on through the town centre and, at one stage, unemployed Newton tried to hide in the multi-storey car park by Carfax Street.

The security guards finally caught up with him by the Tri-Centre near the bus station. But they struggled to hold on to him until the police arrived.

Prosecuting Lynne Henderson said: "The defendant was picked up by security in Debenhams acting suspiciously.

"He went to the men's underwear section picked up boxes of pants and put them in an empty bag.

"Security took up pursuit. He was caught and tried to pull himself away and run off again but he was detained by security.

"He knew that his actions were dishonest and he had tried to run."

Defending Anthony Bignall said Newton, who has previous convictions for theft, had hoped to start a new life in Swindon.

He said: "He has been living in Swindon for three weeks having settled here with his girlfriend.

"The reason he came to Swindon was that he came here in 2003 and managed to get himself off heroin that he had been addicted to.

"He then went off round the country again and he didn't stay off it.

"The Salvation Army directed him towards Swindon in order to get him away from drugs and the area he where he was offending."

Mr Bignall said Newton had the added incentive to go straight after learning his girlfriend was expecting their first child.

Newton was bailed on the condition he keeps all his appointments with the probation services. He is due back at court for sentencing on December 13.

Gareth Bethell

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