Shoplifter stole scotch whisky from Co-op (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Shoplifter stole scotch whisky from Co-op

6:59pm Friday 1st February 2013 in News

A serial shoplifter known throughout Yorkshire for stealing alcohol from Co-op stores has been given a suspended prison sentence by Skipton magistrates.

Michael Briscoe, 41, stole three bottles of scotch whisky worth just under £30 from Cross Hills Co-op on October 6, the court heard.

He had earlier admitted at Bradford Magistrates’ Court to the theft of three bottles of whisky and one of rum worth £58 from Oxenhope Co-op on September 30.

Skipton magistrates were told that two police officers were questioning the driver of a car parked outside Cross Hills Co-op on October 6 when Briscoe had come running out.

He had run off and was attempting to hide the bottles in some undergrowth when the officers caught up with him.

The court heard that Briscoe had 81 convictions for 240 offences.

Briscoe, also known as Michael Grogan, had a drug addiction and stole to get money for drugs, the court was told.

But he had sought help for his addiction and was now on a methadone programme.

Briscoe, of Hamer Avenue, Blackburn, who asked for a similar offence to be taken into consideration, was given a 16-week prison sentence suspended for a year. He was also given a three-month curfew from 9pm to 6am every day and was ordered to pay £57.97 compensation to the Oxenhope Co-op. The whisky stolen from Cross Hills Co-op was recovered and returned to the store.