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Sunday 24 December 2023

No Clean Getaway for West Midlands Vacuum Thief

A West Midlands man has been jailed for stealing a vacuum cleaner from a Powys electrical store.

Lee Perry, 48, of Woodsworth Road, Willenhall, admitted theft when he appeared via videolink at Welshpool Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 19th December 2023.

Theft is an offence contrary to section 1 of the Theft Act 1968. The maximum penalty for theft is 26 weeks' custody on summary conviction; 7 years' custody on conviction on indictment. We have previously written an article on the legalities surrounding theft.

Magistrates heard that prolific thief Perry visited Welshpool with a friend on Friday, 26th May 2023. They entered BJ's Electrical on Berriew Street and walked out with a Dyson vacuum cleaner without making any offer of payment.

The pair returned to the store a short time later, no doubt in hope of snagging another bargain. By the time they returned staff member Neil Jarman had noticed the vacuum was missing. Realising the game was up, the thieves fled from the shop with Mr Jarman in hot pursuit.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, told the court: "PC Willis obtained CCTV footage and could see the defendant had picked up a (vacuum), a Dyson, which was on offer for £569.99, and walked out.

"Mr Jarman said to a colleague he thought they'd taken something. The two males then returned; Mr Jarman was unsure if it was the same men. He interacted with him then they backed out of the store. They left and he followed in pursuit.

"Lee Perry was recognised from facial recognition. The item was not recovered.

"He travelled into the area to commit the offence, so there was some degree of planning, and he returned to the store."

Magistrates heard that Perry was currently residing at HMP Oakwood, having been recalled in relation to other matters.

Representing himself, Perry said: "I apologise for the offence, it shouldn't have happened, but I can't turn back the clock.

"I have been recalled to prison now, I'm here until March 2025, so I just have to accept the punishment."

Given Perry's current incarceration, Magistrates' took a pragmatic approach to sentencing.

He was sentenced to 4 weeks' custody to run concurrently with his recall period.

He was also ordered to pay £570 in compensation to BJ's Electrical.

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