Serial Whitley Bay thief caught with perfume from H Beauty worth £355 hidden down trouser leg
Mark Haire, who received a disqualification in April after being caught drug-driving, also stole from shops across Tyneside and Northumberland on seven occasions in four months
by Sara Nichol · ChronicleLiveA serial thief who targeted seven shops in four months and got behind the wheel while banned has avoided jail.
Mark Haire, who received a disqualification earlier this year after he was caught drug-driving, repeatedly stole from shops across Northumberland, Gateshead and South Tyneside, helping himself to more than £700-worth of booze, aftershaves and food. A court heard that the 53-year-old also had a complete disregard for his driving ban, when he was clocked behind the wheel of Ford Fiesta in Newcastle City Centre during the same period.
Magistrates were told that, when pulled over, hapless Haire tried to escape on foot and ran off in the direction of the Tyne Bridge but was soon caught by officers. Now, the thief, of Gorsedene Avenue, in Whitley Bay, has avoided jail after he pleaded guilty to seven shop thefts and one count each of driving while disqualified and without insurance.
Claire Armstrong, prosecuting, said Haire first stole £11-worth of food from Nisa, in Cramlington, on March 18 this year before targeting H Beauty, in the Metrocentre, on April 26. Miss Armstrong continued: "A security officer is approached by a member of staff at H Beauty, who said there had been a theft.
"The defendant had been seen by the security officer, about 20 seconds earlier, hurrying from the store. He looked outside and saw the defendant going up the escalators." South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court heard that Haire was stopped by the security officer and £355-worth of perfume was found hidden down his trouser leg.
Miss Armstrong said, just five days earlier, Haire was caught behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta on Pilgrim Street, in Newcastle City Centre. Miss Armstrong added: "The officer exited his car and witnessed the defendant exiting from the driver's side of his vehicle.
"He spoke to the defendant and he said he had no insurance. He ran off in the direction of the Tyne Bridge and the officer gave chase. He was soon apprehended."
The court heard that Haire then stole meat, worth £80, from Sainsbury's, in Morpeth, on June 6, rum, worth £74.97, from the Shell Garage, in Morpeth, on the same day and rum, worth £126.96, from the Shell Garage, in Morpeth, on July 17.
Finally, the crook helped himself to a total of four bottles of whisky, worth £120, when he targeted the same Tesco store, in South Shields, twice on June 25. Miss Armstrong said Haire had 30 offences on his record, including drug-driving from earlier this year, when he received the ban.
Tim Gregory, defending, said Haire was now back in work, having been unemployed for two years, and had turned a corner in his life. The solicitor added: "For the last two years, she's struggled with his mental health and has lost his way."
Haire was given an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and must do 100 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay a total of £410.91 compensation, £85 costs and a £156 victim surcharge. He was further banned from the roads for 12 months.
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