Nelson man, 34, receives suspended sentence for stealing football stickers from Bargain Booze

Darren Hinchcliffe, of Hendon Road, Nelson, was also convicted of stealing alcohol from the shop, with his haul amounting to a total of £143.96.

Hinchcliffe, who has a prolific record for alcohol theft, stealing vast amounts of booze from shops including Booths, Morrisons and B&M Bargains, was sentenced at Preston Magistrates in April to 32 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months.

The most recent incidents for which the sentence was imposed related to the theft of football stickers and alcohol from a Bargain Booze on Lentworth Drive in Lancaster on July 4 2020, as well as the theft of three bottles of gin to the value of £118 from a Booths store in Scotforth on June 11 last year.

Bargain Booze where Hinchcliffe stole football stickers and alcohol from

Hinchcliffe pleaded guilty to the offences on November 27 2020, five months after being convicted for stealing alcohol and electronics worth 363.97 from B&M Bargains in Kendal on May 5 2020 and just over a year after he was convicted of stealing 10 bottles of aftershave to the value of £550 from Boyes in Kendal on September 28 2019; bottles of alcohol to the value of £67, belonging to Morrison's in Morecambe on September 22 2019; a number of alcoholic drinks to the value of £247 belonging to Booths in Penrith on September 10 2019; a number of alcoholic drinks to the value of £144 and £57 also belonging to Booths on September 5 and 6 2019; and groceries, household items and toys, to the value of £327.92, belonging to B&M in Widnes on October 1 2019.

Magistrates said the reason for giving Hinchcliffe such a lengthy suspended custodial sentence was because 'the combination of offences are so serious due to the number of offences, and indicate spree offending driven by addiction'.

Taking into account his previous record and character, magistrates said Hinchcliffe must also comply with several requirements within the supervision period of 12 months: alcohol treatment requirement; rehabilitation activity requirement for 20 days; and a payment of £143.96 compensation.

The court heard: "Magistrates were of the view that there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation based on the positive report from probation in terms of your current level of engagement and determination/motivation to address your offending behaviour and taking into account the impact any custodial sentence would have on your children."