Thief admits spree a day after prison release

A thief stole thousands of pounds worth of cigarettes within a month of his release from prison, it has been revealed.

Patrick Rafferty, from Walsall, broke into shops in the town as well as Wolverhampton while on licence as part of a 36-month jail sentence for a separate burglary and theft matter.

He had only been released for one day when he committed the first of seven thefts and attempted thefts in 28 days, on September 22.

Among the 23-year old's victims were ML Stores in Fallings Park, where £2,500 in cigarettes were stolen along with £200 in cash, and Linthouse Wines in Wednesfield, which suffered £2,000 in stolen cigarettes.

The above offences took place on October 16 and 14 respectively, with the others taking place between September 22 and October 18.

Rafferty, from Bentley Road, admitted both offences at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court yesterday. He also disclosed five other theft-related offences during the same 28-day stretch and asked for them to be taken into consideration. The court heard the defendant had stolen an unknown quantity of cigarettes from Merry Hill News, in Coalway Road, as well as £1,000 in coins and cigarettes from Co-op in Cannock Road.

He also caused £1,000 damage in the raid, an identical amount of damage to Sharma Stores in Parkfields, £200 worth of damage to Valley Wines in Bloxwich and £150 worth of damage to County Service Station in Bentley.

Chairman Mr Chris Reid said the combined cost of stolen stock and damage to stores was in the region of £10,000.

He added: "It started immediately after your release from prison. There is no way we can adequately sentence you (in the magistrates court)."

Rafferty was remanded in custody and committed to Wolverhampton Crown Court for sentence on December 13.

Mrs Jo Taylor, prosecuting, said: "The aggravating features of these offences speak for themselves and they were all committed on licence."

Mr Kevin Good, defending, said his client's actions had been due to an addiction to class A drugs which he said had 'blighted his life for years.' But he added the his client should be given credit for his timely guilty pleas.