Ruben Judge, of Oakwood Drive, Ulverston, pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to four counts of theft from a shop when he appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court on October 17. Prosecutoe Peter Kelly said the 19-year-old defendant began his offending by stealing a Nicce hoodie from The Original Factory Shop in Ulverston on August 5 this year. The court was told Judge had previously been given a caution for shoplifting on the same day in question.
He was caught stealing once again on September 8 after nicking £15 worth of cigarettes from Tesco Express on Market Street in Ulverston, Mr Kelly said. His ‘low-value shoplifting’ did not stop there, the court heard. Mr Kelly said Judge stole a further £22 worth of AU Cocktail Mixer Cans from the same store on September 17 and September 25.
“There is nothing sophisticated about his offending,” Mr Kelly said. “He is acting alone, leaving the stores without making payments. He has shown a repetition of offending over a short period of time.
” The court heard none of the items were recovered. Representing the defendant, Andy Gallagher said his client had been living a ‘rather chaotic lifestyle’. Mr Gallagher said: “This is a little surprising for someone who has never been before the court before but there is a pattern.
“He had been kicked out of his parents' house a short time before and then he separated from his partner. He was sofa surfing with friends and was living a rather chaotic lifestyle . In hi.