A prolific thief who already owes a staggering £35,000 to the courts has admitted stealing a worker's bike from Newcastle Central Station. Liam Richmond, 35, sneaked into a staff-only cupboard and helped himself to the pedal cycle during a month-long crime spree in May.
Details of the Thefts
Magistrates heard that Richmond also committed eight shop thefts, stealing £38 worth of food from Greggs, £40 of items from Heron Foods, and £73 of goods from the Co-op. He appeared in Newcastle Magistrates' Court to plead guilty to eight counts of shop theft and one of attempted theft of a pedal cycle.
Prosecution Statement
Emily Hunt, prosecuting, said Richmond targeted Greggs six times, the Co-op once, and Heron Foods once over three weeks in May. None of the stolen goods were recovered. Regarding the bike theft, she added: "The injured party works for the train station and had left the bike in a cupboard in a cleaning area, which is staff only. The defendant took the bike, valued over £900."
The bike was recovered undamaged, so no compensation was sought.
Defense and Sentencing
Rebecca Highton, defending, said Richmond, of Fordfield Road, Sunderland, suffers from substance misuse and mental health issues but is now receiving treatment. She described the bike theft as opportunistic: "The bike, which is partially electric, was in a store cupboard. The door was open and the bike was visible. He'd gone into the station to use the bathroom."
Richmond was fined £200 and ordered to pay £38.20 compensation to Greggs, £40 to Heron Foods, and £73 to the Co-op.
