Heroin addict jailed after two shoplifting raids

A serial offender has been jailed after he was twice spotted shoplifting at stores in Chesterfield.
Chesterfield magistrates' court.Chesterfield magistrates' court.
Chesterfield magistrates' court.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Tuesday, May 9, how Jonathan Dodson, 33, of no fixed abode, struck at Tesco, on Lockoford Lane, and Boots, on Middle Pavement, in the town.

Prosecuting solicitor Sam Matkin said: “The defendant entered Tesco and selected two bottles of Jack Daniels valued at £60 and tried to remove the security tags.”

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Dodson was challenged by security guards and dropped a bag before walking off after the theft at Tesco on March 15, according to Mr Matkin.

Mr Matkin added the defendant also entered Boots through an emergency exit and stole deodorants and Gillette Travel sets and left without paying on March 29.

The court heard how Dodson returned to the store 15 minutes later and stole more deodorants but he was challenged as he was leaving without paying by a security guard.

Mr Matkin added that Dodson claimed he needed the toilet and he ran to the back of the store and left before police arrived.

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The defendant pleaded guilty to the two thefts from March 15 and 29 and also admitted previously failing to surrender to court as well as breaching a previous suspended sentence order by committing an offence.

The court also heard how Dodson has 42 previous convictions for 80 offences.

Defence solicitor Kevin Tomlinson said Dodson handed himself into police after a warrant had been issued for his arrest.

Mr Tomlinson added that he stole the goods to help buy drugs to support a heroin addiction.

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He added that Dodson failed to surrender to court because he had been under the influence of heroin but he has been working to free himself of the addiction and he has been drug-free for four weeks.

Magistrates sentenced Dodson to 20 weeks of custody and ordered him to pay a £115 victim surcharge.