Preston thief's jail term suspended after court told he is addressing his drug and housing issues

A serial thief has been given a suspended jail term.
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Carl David Rainford, 46, of Cardigan Street, Ashton, Preston, admitted six counts of theft.

Preston Magistrates’ Court heard his crime spree started on June 24 last year, when he filled two bags and stole £360 of fragrances from Boots in Fishergate, Preston.

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The following day he targeted the same shop and stole three pairs of sunglasses.

Boots, Fishergate (Credit: Google)Boots, Fishergate (Credit: Google)
Boots, Fishergate (Credit: Google)
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The court was told he also targeted other shops.

On August 8 he stole £48 worth of alcohol from Marks And Spencer.

He went into TK Maxx on October 2 and stole £300 of fragrances, and the following month, on November 4 he returned to TK Maxx and stole a £99 handbag.

The magistrates’ bench imposed 14 weeks in prison, saying that it must be a custodial term to reflect Rainford’s “repeated and targeted offending”.

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However, they suspended the term for 12 months after hearing he is now assisted by the 360 Project in terms of addressing his drug addiction and accommodation issues.

He was ordered to pay compensation totalling £200.