A prolific thief has been caught shoplifting in Northallerton once again – and this was one of his sneakiest thefts yet.
Bryan Horrigan, 52, went into Barkers department store in High Street despite being barred and made a beeline for the Hugo Boss designer-label section, York magistrates heard.
He picked up a pair of grey jogging bottoms and two grey hoodies, then went into the changing rooms and asked a store assistant if they had the joggers in a smaller size.
Prosecutor Hannah Middelton said that when the assistant went to look for smaller-sized joggers, Horrigan walked out of the fitting room with only two clothes hangers rather than the three with which he had entered.
“Staff went into the changing rooms to find the trouser hanger was in there but no joggers,” added Ms Middleton.
Horrigan was confronted by staff and handed over the two hoodies.
A security tag was found in his pocket.
Ms Middleton said that when a staff member asked Horrigan to hand back the stolen joggers, he became “more aggressive and said he didn’t have them”.
She said the staff member had no option but to let Horrigan leave the store.
She told the court that the Hugo Boss jogging bottoms, worth £139, had never been recovered.
Horrigan, of Cockpit Hill, Brompton, was later arrested and charged with shop theft. He admitted the offence and appeared for sentence today (Monday, November 17).
The prosecution outlined Horrigan’s prolific criminal record, comprising of 53 previous convictions for 120 offences, including 68 thefts. His last theft conviction, just two weeks ago, resulted in a fine.
His solicitor Jackie East said that Horrigan had a 30-year drug habit and mental-health problems.
She claimed, however, that Horrigan hadn’t touched drugs for five years thanks to a Methadone script and help from a drug charity.
She said that on the day in question, Horrigan “wasn’t feeling particularly well” and needed a “bit of a top-up”, so he “panicked” and stole the joggers which he sold for cash.
She added that Horrigan, a father, was on benefits and receiving ongoing drug rehabilitation.
Magistrates gave Horrigan a 12-month conditional discharge, which means he won’t receive a punitive sentence unless he reoffends within that period.
However, he was ordered to pay the store £139 compensation for the theft of the joggers, as well as £85 costs and a £26 victim surcharge.
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