Man with 57 shoplifting convictions admits four more

Sunday 30 July 2023

A shoplifter with a "terrible record" involving 57 previous convictions of thefts from shops has admitted four more.

James Craig Ring (34) admitted stealing Hugo Boss items from De Gruchy department store on 17 May and 11 June last year, and a bottle of perfume from Boots on 20 February this year.

He denied another theft from De Gruchy of a bottle of perfume worth £283 – but changed his plea when the Magistrate's Court was shown a photo of him in the shop.

Ring also admitted two separate charges of possession of cannabis, on 7 July last year and on Tuesday this week, and was remanded in custody until his sentencing on 14 September.

He had been due to appear in court on Tuesday but failed to turn up.

Advocate Adam Harrison, prosecuting, argued Ring should be denied bail because of the risk that he may commit another offence or fail to appear in court on the scheduled date again.

Advocate Chris Baglin, defending, asked the court to grant him "the chance to prove himself".

However Assistant Magistrate Sarah Fitz refused bail, telling Ring: "You have a terrible record involving larceny."