Two men jailed after stealing £22,000 from shops in Colchester and Chelmsford. Targeted Next and Boots stores.
McDonagh’s thefts started last April, the court learned. He stole over £21,888 worth of goods in nine months. Stokes also stole £1,000 of items in January. He didn’t pay for these things.
The pair mostly targeted shops at two retail parks located in Colchester and Chelmsford. They often went to Next and Boots.
McDonagh and Stokes sometimes hit multiple stores daily. Once, they took £3,000 worth of products, much of it Victoria’s Secret perfume. Stealing took about five minutes each time.
Police stopped their car and arrested them. Stokes wore a special jacket then, which helped hide the stolen goods from view.
Stokes broke a previous order from Oxford court regarding his use of threatening words. McDonagh also broke his order from shoplifting in 2023.
McDonagh showed poor compliance, the court heard, and lacked motivation to change things. He committed more crimes while free.
McDonagh admitted to nine counts of theft and one charge of going equipped for theft. Stokes admitted two thefts and one similar charge.
McDonagh got 16 months in jail and can’t enter any Boots store in Essex anymore. Stokes’ jail term got suspended for 18 months. He must also do 80 hours of unpaid work.
Stokes’ lawyer said he felt troubled and that his crimes were to escape reality. The lawyer mitigated for McDonagh and Stokes, both admitting theft and having tools for it.
The lawyer said the thefts were unsophisticated, but the judge disagreed. She thought they planned to steal high-value goods.
McDonagh was upset after his father’s death, the lawyer said. He used drugs and stole to support his habit. Stokes had family bereavements as well.
Stokes’ lawyer explained that he stole to forget problems. She added that his mom has cancer, his partner had a miscarriage, and his grandfather suffers from dementia.
The judge jailed McDonagh but gave Stokes a suspended sentence. She knows McDonagh works hard in prison, and she knows Stokes takes care of his family.