Lee McDonald jailed after threatening a Sainsbury’s employee and repeated shoplifting in York despite prior sentencing.
Eighteen days later, he returned to that shop and stole razor blades. This was his second visit that month, marking his third offense in a single month.
McDonald has a history of shoplifting and a record of other offenses. He faced York Magistrates’ Court for six crimes, all committed after January 10th.
Walters stated that McDonald received a suspended sentence at the same court for shoplifting. Only three days later, he shoplifted again, prompting the judge to label him a “one-man crime wave.”
Judge Adrian Lower expressed doubt that McDonald would cooperate with probation services or address his issues, including drug use and the reasons behind his criminal behavior.
The judge stated the court offers limited chances and noted McDonald’s poor record for these types of crimes. He ordered McDonald to serve his suspended sentence and added four weeks for the subsequent shoplifting offense.
McDonald must pay £100 to the shopworker, who the judge acknowledged was “simply doing his job.” He must also pay £728 to the shops to cover the cost of the stolen items.
McDonald, from York, admitted his crimes, pleading guilty to five thefts from shops. He also admitted to using threatening words that caused someone to fear violence.
His lawyer, Byron Chatzis, said his client uses crack and heroin and expects his addiction prescription to increase. He added that McDonald was diagnosed with psychosis four years ago, stemming from drug use.
Walters stated that McDonald attempted to steal from a Sainsbury’s store in Bootham, prompting a shopworker to confront him, leading to the threatening behavior.
He threatened to slit the employee’s face open and vowed to return. On January 11th, he went to Home Bargains in York and stole washing items and other goods worth about £94.
On January 28th, he visited the Sainsbury’s store in Fulford Road and stole razor blades and other items with a total value near £450. He also stole meat from a York Spar store worth £58 that same day.
The court heard that the previous bench was unaware of these thefts when they sentenced him on January 30th.
Walters reported that McDonald stole meat from the Sainsbury’s store in Bootham again on February 2nd. On February 11th, he stole about £90 of meat from the Fulford location.
He was then caught and police sent him to York Magistrates’ Court, recovering the meat he had just stolen. None of the other stolen items were found.