Prolific shoplifter from Wisbech failed to attend court for sentencing

A Wisbech man can expect a knock at the door from police after failing to turn up for court.

Ricky McGrath, 34, of Wedgwood Drive, was due to appear at King’s Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday to be sentenced for a raft of shoplifting offences.

McGrath had previously admitted some of the offences on July 12 when a pre-sentence report was ordered. He was convicted of further offences on different dates.

The case was again adjourned to September 17 for the pre-sentence report to be prepared when it was then adjourned to October 3 when a warrant with bail was issued and the case was adjourned to this week.

The offences McGrath admitted on July 12 were: Theft of two bottles of whiskey worth £70 from King’s Lynn Sainsbury’s on July 5; theft of a basket full of items, value unknown, from Tesco Express, South Wootton in King’s Lynn on July 7; theft of meat worth £59.67 from Aldi in Gaywood, King’s Lynn on July 3; theft of times from Boots Chemist at Hardwick, King’s Lynn, value unknown, on July 10; theft of two bottles of whiskey worth £70 from Sainsbury’s King’s Lynn on July 1; theft of meat to the value of £200 from Sainsbury’s on July 15; theft of coffee, laundry items and a shopping basket from Home Bargains, King’s Lynn, worth £102.30 on August 29.

On the same date 12 McGrath was convicted of handling stolen goods on July 6 – a Royal Mail parcel scanner belonging to Royal Mail, King’s Lynn.

On August 16 McGrath was convicted of numerous shoplifting incidents in Sainsbury’s King’s Lynn. The offences were: theft of four bottles of Jack Daniels worth £168 on July 28; theft of four bottles of vodka, and a bottle of Jack Daniels worth a total of £174 on July 28; theft of four men’s trimmers to the value of £88 on July 29; theft of meats worth £90 on August 8; theft of a Kitchen Aid and a pasta attachment worth £734on August 7; theft of three Gillette trimmers worth £180 on July 26.

And on the same date he was convicted of using threatening behaviour in King’s Lynn on August 15.

On September 17 McGrath was convicted of theft of washing pods and liquids worth £134.70 from One Beyond, King’s Lynn on September 15; and theft of washing laundry items worth £50 from QD Stores, King’s Lynn on September 14.

On October 3 McGrath was convicted of breaching his bail conditions which included not to enter any retail premises except for Morrisons in King’s Lynn.

Yesterday magistrates issued a warrant for McGrath’s arrest not backed for bail.