A thief who was apprehended while attempting to steal clothing after a stolen tracksuit he wore triggered a shop alarm has been sentenced to prison. Bradley Carney, aged 28, entered a JD Sports branch in Middlesbrough with the intent to pilfer items, but his plan was foiled when the security tag on stolen Hugo Boss attire he was wearing activated the store's alarm system.
Details of the Incidents
Carney had previously stolen the tracksuit, part of a haul valued at £500, from the Teesside Park branch of JD Sports on November 4. Following this, he drove with an accomplice to a second location on Skippers Lane in Middlesbrough to commit another theft. However, as he walked into the store, the alarm sounded due to the security tag on his stolen clothing.
Confrontation and Arrest
According to prosecutor Jonathan Gittins, Carney inquired with staff if he was banned after the alarm went off. Mr Gittins noted that Carney referenced the earlier incident at Teesside Park when confronted, as staff had been alerted to the previous theft. Despite the alarm, Carney proceeded to take additional clothing and attempted to exit the store, but staff managed to recover the items and contacted the police.
He was arrested two days later and subsequently pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and attempted theft. In a previous case from 2020, Carney was sentenced to 56 months in prison for breaking into a family home in Hemlington, Middlesbrough, while armed with a white wooden pole and a broken bottle. During that incident, his accomplice demanded cash, but Carney hid from the family's dog in the kitchen.
Mitigating Factors and Sentencing
Lee Goodchild, representing Carney in mitigation, stated that his client had been under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time of the JD Sports theft. Mr Goodchild added that probation reports described Carney as a polite gentleman when not using drugs and pleasant to deal with. He also mentioned that Carney's father, who owns a gym and teaches boxing, plans to take him under his wing to engage in exercise and occupy his mind.
Mr Goodchild requested that Judge Richard Bennett consider a community order or a suspended sentence. However, Judge Bennett emphasized the seriousness of the offences, noting that during the robbery at Teesside Park, Carney blocked staff from stopping his accomplice who forced his way out of the shop. At the Skippers Lane branch, Carney referenced the earlier incident and attempted to leave with stolen clothing, displaying what the judge described as 'brass neck' to steal again after the initial robbery.
Judge Bennett remarked that Carney had led a law-abiding life until 2019 when he began using cocaine, warning that any future offences could result in a very significant sentence. Bradley Carney, residing on Larkspur Road in Marton, Middlesbrough, was ultimately jailed for 22 months following his guilty pleas.
