Heaton burglar sneaked behind counter at petrol station and stole cigarettes
by Sara Nichol · ChronicleLiveA hapless burglar sneaked behind the counter of a Tyneside petrol station and helped himself to packets of cigarettes.
Prolific thief Tony Ash waited until the shop assistant was distracted and took the opportunity to unbolt a door and let himself into the area around the till. A court heard that the 32-year-old was captured on CCTV grabbing 10 packets of cigarettes and trying to make-off but dropping four of those in the process.
However, the crook, formerly of Heaton but now of no fixed abode, did manage to escape with the remaining six packets but was easily identified from the camera footage and arrested soon after. He has now been given a six-month conditional discharge after he pleaded guilty to burglary of a non-dwelling at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.
Ruth Forster, prosecuting, said Ash entered the BP garage, in Byker, whilst the attendant was outside on the forecourt on October 5 this year. She added: "The attendant returned to the shop and couldn't see the defendant.
"The defendant then came out from behind the till kiosk and was holding several packets of cigarettes. He dropped some of the packets and ran away towards Wilfred Street."
The court heard that the police were called and Ash was easily identified from CCTV footage and arrested soon after. Lee Poppett, defending, said Ash was homeless and the burglary had been "opportunistic".
He added: "He went to the petrol station to buy some cigarettes. It's one of his few pleasures as he doesn't drink alcohol and doesn't regularly use drugs, he would say. He saw the attendant was away from the till and he's unbolted the door and grabbed what he can."
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