Thief with colossal debts skips day in court for South Tyneside crime

A thief who owes around £10k in debt skipped his day in court for a South Tyneside crime.

A thief who owes the courts a whopping £10,000 in past fines and costs continued to offend by pinching £95 of Minecraft toys from a South Tyneside store.

David Appleby, 35, of Strathmore Crescent, Benwell, Newcastle, has his debt held in two payment accounts - one of £8,579 and the other around £1,500.

No details were provided to South Tyneside Magistrates' Court about the past criminal matters that led to them being put in place.

Appleby also did not turn up to have his day in court and the allegation that he stole the Minecraft items went ahead without him

Prosecutor Mariam Odetoro said the offender went into Home Bargains' outlet in Station Street, Jarrow, on Tuesday, March 10, and stole 12 toys.

Ms Odetoro revealed a police officer attended the shop and checked CCTV footage.

Reading from his statement, she said he recognised Appleby because he had "spoken to him on a number of occasions".

After hearing the evidence, District Judge Zoe Passfield found the case against Appleby proven.

She ordered him to pay full compensation of £95.88 to Home Bargains but did not impose court costs or a victim surcharge after being made aware of his colossal debt.