Bolton: Shoplifter was already on suspended sentence for dangerous driving

Brant Chadwick, 35, stole items ranging from cat food to board games from five shops between May 3 and July 25.

In one case he abused and swore at a shop worker who tried to challenge him, Bolton Crown Court heard.

Laura Broome, prosecuting, said: “This made him feel intimidated and he moved to the back of the shop.”

Ms Broome told the court how Chadwick, of Knutshaw Crescent, had targeted McColls on St Helens Road twice and a branch of the Co-op on Wigan Road three times.

In one case, the manager of the store had confronted him and Chadwick gave one of the items back but still made off with other stolen products.

Over the course of the five thefts, he stole cat food, board games, coffee, sweets, scents and shampoo .

At the same time, he was serving a suspended sentence for leading police on a 60mph chase through a 30mph zone in Bolton.

At the time he was driving a Mazda in a "state of disrepair", narrowly missed other cars and drove through red lights.

The crash scene on St Helens Road (Image: Newsquest)

The chase came to an end when he hit a CCTV pole and, having been convicted of dangerous driving, he was sentenced to nine months in prison suspended for two years.

Ms Broome explained that after his more recent spate of thefts Chadwick was arrested and interviewed by police on July 25.

He pleaded guilty to five counts of theft before Wigan and Leigh Magistrates Court on August 27 this year.

Emma Clarke, defending, argued that Chadwick deserved credit for having confessed to his crimes at the earliest possible opportunity.

She told the court that he had been addicted to heroin for many years and that he had been stealing in order to fund his habit.

But, Ms Clarke claimed that since his arrest Chadwick had been trying to address his problems while on remand over the last two months.

She said: “He’s put this time to good use and is now dedicated to coming completely off drugs.”

The Honorary Recorder for Bolton Judge Martin Walsh decided that given he had already been on remand for two months, he would give Chadwick another chance to avoid prison and decided not to activate his suspended sentence.

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But he warned him of the consequences of any further breaches.

Addressing the defendant, Judge Walsh said: “I am just about persuaded to give you another chance.”

He added: “You’ve got a chance now and that is largely predicated on the fact that you have spent two months in custody.”

Judge Walsh sentenced Chadwick to three months in prison suspended for two years and ordered him to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He also ordered him to complete a nine-month drug rehabilitation programme.

Judge Walsh said: “It’s up to you now and the probation services, if you don’t work with them then you will find yourself back in custody.”