Christopher Crotty, 38, formerly of Newsham Drive in Tuebrook, threatened to shoot police officers and fled in a taxi after stealing a till from a McDonald's restaurant in Liverpool. His crime spree included targeting a single Vision Express store eight times in one month, stealing goods worth more than £10,000.
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Tuesday that Crotty's first offence occurred at John Lewis in Liverpool ONE on 20 September last year, where he attempted to steal eight bottles of aftershave valued at £846. He was apprehended by staff. On 10 February this year, he entered Vision Express on Clayton Square, taking five pairs of Ray-Ban sunglasses worth approximately £800. When the store manager blocked his path, he called her a 'stupid f***ing t**t' and thrust his hand into his pocket, prompting her to step aside fearing he had a weapon.
Repeat Offences at Vision Express
Six days later, on 16 February, Crotty returned to the same Vision Express. Caught removing security tags from sunglasses, he declared, 'I can do what I want. There's nothing you can do.' He loaded his bag with six pairs of Ray-Bans, left, then returned claiming, 'I've sold them now. I've come back for more,' stealing another seven pairs. The total value stolen that day reached £2,180.
On 22 February, he stole another £2,000 worth of designer eyewear, and on 28 February, he took another £2,000, announcing, 'You can't do anything to me. I take what I want. Don't come near me.' He then attempted to steal seven pairs from Boots but was thwarted by security. On 4 March, he stole an undisclosed number of sunglasses from Vision Express, and on 6 March, he confronted a staff member saying, 'who the f*** are you looking at?' before grabbing multiple pairs. The total value stolen from Vision Express alone was estimated at £11,000.
McDonald's Till Theft and Threats
On 3 April, shortly after 1:30am, Crotty entered the Lord Street McDonald's, went behind the counter, yanked the cash register until it dislodged, smashed it repeatedly on the ground, and fled with it. A security officer pursued him; the till was recovered nearby unopened but 'damaged beyond repair' and reportedly empty. Seven minutes later, CCTV showed him trying to break into a churros van outside St Johns Shopping Centre.
Police found Crotty on Water Street at around 10:30am. He climbed into a taxi, and when officers intercepted the vehicle, he threatened, 'It's going to take a taser to get me out of this taxi. I'm going to shoot you.' He was arrested and later admitted charges including burglary, theft, and attempted theft.
Criminal History and Defence
Crotty has 29 prior convictions for 49 offences, including 19 acquisitive crimes such as burglary. Defence barrister Callum Ross told the court: 'Clearly, he presented as candid with probation. He was open in admitting to them that his addiction was out of control. He was alcohol and crack cocaine dependant at the time of all of this offending.' Ross added: 'He is, perhaps, the sad reality, in my submission, of what class A drug misuse and alcohol addiction can do to a person.'
Ross noted that Crotty had a 'transient and chaotic lifestyle, previously living in homeless shelters and on the streets' and that he was willing to engage with the Whitechapel Centre for support. 'This appears to be the first time he has stated to probation that he is willing to engage in assistance,' Ross said.
Sentence and Criminal Behaviour Order
Judge David Potter handed Crotty an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years, along with a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 10 days, a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement, and a 12-month mental health treatment requirement. The judge also issued a criminal behaviour order banning Crotty from the Clayton Square area for two years.
In his sentencing remarks, Judge Potter said: 'Aggressive shoplifting is prolific in this city and elsewhere. The public are rightly incensed to see and read daily news reports of aggressive people entering shops and, just as you did, stealing high value items with impunity.' He noted that an immediate prison sentence would see Crotty released after four to six months with no plan to tackle addictions, whereas the suspended sentence offers 'proper and lengthy supervision' and the best hope for rehabilitation. 'If you steal a single thing from a shop or enter the prohibited area for one minute, you will be breached and back in custody,' the judge warned.
