Gosport nuisance shoplifter avoids jail after admitting string of burglaries
THIEF Benjamin Pennicott has avoided jail after admitting five burglaries.
The 36-year-old, of Newbroke Road, Gosport, targeted businesses in a four-month spree.
He admitted attempting to burgle Gosport Ice Rink overnight between October 12-14 and burgling Gosport Leisure centre on October 14.
At Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court Pennicott admitted attempting to burgle the Sail Maker pub on the same day.
He admitted taking a wallet in a burglary at the Sanderson Centre, Lees Lane, on October 4, and burgling the dentist at Rowner Health Centre on December 5.
Portsmouth magistrates imposed a nine-week prison sentence suspended for six months with a six-month drug rehabilitation course.
Pennicott also admitted:
n Shoplifting beef and milk worth £26.98 from McColls, Gosport, on August 28.
n Theft of deodorants and shampoo worth £14.92 from Kev Jones News ‘N’ Food on November 6.
n Theft of chocolate worth £35 from Tesco in Gosport on November 22.
n Stealing make-up worth £183.82 from Boots, Lee-on-the-Solent, on November 24.
n Interfering with a car on December 5 in Gosport.
n Failing to turn up to court on December 21.
n Shoplifting chicken and cheese worth £41.34 from Co-op on January 4
Pennicott must pay £252.64 compensation for the items he stole from shops.
He is due to appear again at court again this week for magistrates to check on his progress on the rehabilitation course.