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Thief had tablet in his pocket [Herald, The (Plymouth, England)]
[February 04, 2014]

Thief had tablet in his pocket [Herald, The (Plymouth, England)]


(Herald, The (Plymouth, England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) A SERIAL thief was caught red-handed riding on a bicycle with a stolen tablet computer sticking out of his trousers, a court heard.

Drug user Stefan Brown, aged 24, told a pack of lies to police but eventually admitted taking the computer from a van, Plymouth Crown Court heard.

He has been jailed for 30 weeks for a total of five offences stretching back more than a year.

A judge told Brown: "You need to get yourself sorted out." Judge Advocate Alan Large said: "You started your criminal career at the age of 14. You need to get some help because the sentences will get longer and longer." Brown, of Stott Close, Efford, admitted stealing an Archos tablet computer and a leather washbag on March 28 last year. He also pleaded guilty to theft of cigarettes worth Pounds 24 from the Stoke Village Co-op on October 14 last year. Brown admitted theft of a leather wallet of a value unknown belonging to a man in a shop on December 29 last year. He was resentenced for two earlier offences, having breached a community order and a suspended prison sentence.



Brown had earlier admitted the theft of a handbag from a woman in a pub and threatening behaviour when he had punched a man in the street.

Edward Bailey, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said an asbestos stripper was working through the night in Devonport on March 28.


He added he had left his computer in an overnight bag also containing a wash kit. But Mr Bailey said a police officer spotted Brown riding a bicycle with the tablet sticking out of his trousers hours later.

He added Brown told a "convoluted pack of lies" before admitting he had stolen the machine.

Piers Norsworthy, for Brown, said he had a long history of offending and drug use. He added the only "sparks" in his life were the relationship with his partner and his participation on a Princes Trust course.

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