A prolific North East thief targeted a Sainsbury's store and stole almost £1,000 worth of goods within a matter of days. Daniel Marrinan targeted the County Durham store a number of times in the space of just over two weeks and mainly stole meat.
A court heard the 41-year-old ignored the verbal challenges of staff and instead stuffed his pockets or a bag full of goods. In total, Marrinan stole £987 worth of goods and has now been put behind bars.
On Thursday, Marrinan, of no fixed address, appeared at Durham Crown Court via link from HMP Holme House to be sentenced for 14 counts of shop theft. He had pleaded guilty to the offences, which were carried out between April 25 and May 12 this year.
Ben Sayers, prosecuting, said Marrinan targeted a Sainsbury's store in Horden and mainly stole meat such as steak and bacon. Mr Sayers said: 'He entered the store and proceeded to fill his jacket or bag and left without any attempt to pay. He was verbally challenged [by staff] which he ignored.'
The court heard Marrinan had 28 previous convictions for 49 offences. He had also received a previous suspended sentence for burglary for which he was in breach of.
Calum McNicholas, defending, said Marrinan suffers from a very long standing and severe drug addiction. He told the court: 'The addiction was triggered about a decade ago when he found his grandmother deceased having been her carer for 18 months. It led him down a very dark spiral, which he turned to drugs to self-medicate from.'
The court heard that while in prison, Marrinan has been undertaking a painting and decorating course. Recorder Mark McKone KC jailed Marrinan for 14 months.
