Prison for shoplifter with 57 convictions after luxury thefts

Tuesday 15 August 2023

A "persistent offender" with 57 previous convictions for shoplifting – and an apparent penchant for luxury items including a designer wallet and perfume – has been sent to prison after admitting another five.

James Craig Ring (35), who also admitted two counts of cannabis possession, received a jail sentence of five months and one week, after Relief Magistrate David Le Cornu said there was no other option for dealing with him.

The Magistrate’s Court heard that Ring entered De Gruchy department store on 17 May last year, put a Hugo Boss wallet in his pocket and walked out without paying He returned on 11 June and stole four polo shirts and a pair of shorts.

Police discovered the items at his home on 7 July, along with 390 milligrams of herbal cannabis.

Advocate Adam Harrison, prosecuting, said: "He said he had bought the wallet from a friend."

Pictured: The case was heard in the Magistrate's Court.

On 7 August last year he stole a pair of trainers from the changing rooms in Aquasplash, and on 20 February this year he took three boxes of Dior perfume from Boot’s.

On 22 July he stole another two bottles of Dior perfume from De Gruchy. At the time he was out on on bail on condition that he did not enter the shop.

"On 26 July he was arrested, and police found another small quantity of cannabis," Advocate Harrison said.

Ring had been due to attend the Magistrate’s Court the next day but had failed to turn up. The court heard that he had 57 previous convictions for theft and 16 for drugs offences and was considered at high risk of reconviction.

However Advocate Chris Baglin, defending, asked for him to be granted "the opportunity to prove himself".

He said of Ring: "He is an intelligent young man who is aware of the consequences of what he does, but which doesn’t seem to stop him. Clearly he needs some assistance with that."

He added: "Mr Ring has said: 'I want to be a good dad. I want to look after my partner and I want to look after my son.'

"When he is working he works well. He is happy to do anything the court asks of him."

But Mr Le Cornu told Ring: "You have an appalling record and you are a persistent offender.

"You have already been given many opportunities. I have no option but to impose a custodial sentence."

Ring was also ordered to pay £1,186 in compensation after he is released.