Serial shoplifter 'highly likely' to get no jail despite lengthy record |
Chris Taplin pleaded guilty at Norwich Magistrates’ Court to nine counts of theft from branches of the Co-Op and Tesco in Norwich.
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The 44-year-old, from Darrell Place, Norwich, stole almost £500 worth of meat, chocolate and cheese between February 2 and March 14.
He was identified from CCTV committing the thefts while already on bail.
Judge Paul Booty adjourned his sentencing until April 15 in his absence after the thief failed to reappear in the courtroom after a brief break in proceedings.
Taplin had previously been subject to bail conditions excluding him from a number of Co-Op stores that he had previously stolen from.
But he was given unconditional bail after the court was told new reforms to the court system meant he was highly unlikely to receive a custodial sentence despite a long list of previous offences.
The reforms, which came into force on March 23, were introduced by the government to ease overcrowding in prisons.