A PROLIFIC shoplifter has added yet another theft to a string of offences carried out across multiple stores in Newport in just over a month.
Benjamin Gothard-Smith, of Avenue Road, Freshwater, appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on Friday (February 6) via prison video link.
He pleaded guilty to a fifth shoplifting charge, having previously admitted to four others at an earlier hearing.
The court heard that on December 20, Gothard-Smith went into TK Maxx and stole clothing worth £259.93.
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Just two days later, on December 22, he targeted Asda, making off with seven DVDs valued at £104.93.
His offending continued into the New Year.
On January 13, he went into Morrisons and stole a bottle of Captain Morgan rum worth £24.50.
Then three days later, on January 16, he returned to TK Maxx and stole a Ralph Lauren hat valued at £24.
Gothard-Smith had been due to plead on January 3 to a further theft, but failed to attend court.
On Friday, he finally admitted that offence — stealing two Blu-Ray discs worth £30 from Asda on December 9.
The court was told jobless Gothard-Smith is currently serving a fixed-term prison recall, until February 23.
Magistrates remanded him in custody to return for sentencing, four days after his release, on February 27.
