Benwell crook stole chicken from back of delivery van after his dog sniffed it out
by Sara Nichol · ChronicleLiveA hapless thief was captured on camera stealing chicken from the back of a delivery van after his dog sniffed it out.
Wayne Young was out walking his pooch when it pulled towards the meat, which was being delivered to Najib's Halal Supermarket, in Newcastle's West End. While nobody was watching, the 35-year-old and a friend helped themselves to boxes of the poultry and made off, a court heard.
However, the whole incident was captured on CCTV and Young, who is well-known to the police, was easily identified. Now, Young, of Cochrane Court, in Benwell, has been fined and ordered to pay compensation after he pleaded guilty to shop theft during a hearing at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.
Paul Coulson, prosecuting, said a worker at Najib's was taking a delivery on September 20 this year and, while the driver was inside the store, Young and a pal approached the van. Mr Coulson added: "They were observed on CCTV taking boxes of chicken before leaving the area on foot.
"This defendant took one box of chicken, worth £50. The incident is fully captured on CCTV." The court heard that Young had 143 offences on his record, including 62 for theft.
Alanna Wesencraft, defending, said Young, who already owes £1,400 to the court, had pleaded guilty and admitted everything in police interview. She added: "Mr Young was out walking his dog. The dog is sniffing around where the chicken has been left and you then see Mr Young approach and take a box. It was opportunistic."
Young was fine £40 and ordered to pay £50 compensation. His co-accused, David Mitchell, 44, of Strathmore Crescent, in Benwell, also pleaded guilty to shop theft and was fined £40 and ordered to pay £100 compensation.
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