Burglar stole cash and clippers in £1,600 raid on Hartlepool barbers shop

Paul Smith, 33, of Windermere Road, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to burgling Marmaris Traditional Turkish Barbers in York Road, on July 19 last year.

He smashed a window and went inside stealing £400 in cash, and six sets of clippers and scissors valued at £1,200.

John Garside, prosecuting at Teesside Magistrates Court, said: “It was July last year when the defendant approached the barbers in York Road.

“He smashed a window and left, then returned and has gone inside and taken property.”

Smith spent the equivalent of a month’s prison sentence in jail after being locked up for failing to attend court on July 20 last year.

The court heard he has struggled with drugs for most of his life, but is now motivated to come off them.

His solicitor Stewart Haywood defending agreed with the recommendation of a pre-sentence report for probation.

But he queried the reported value of the stolen barbers equipment suggesting they were available online for anything from £12 to £100.

Smith was ordered to pay £400 compensation to the barbers but the judge said there was ‘little chance’ of them ever getting it, as he already has £3,800 in outstanding fines to pay.

District Judge Helen Cousins said: “There’s some real positives in the probation report.

“You were on a community order before and managed to become drug free for some time but it's obvious that drugs have been a continuing problem throughout your life.

“I understand you are now motivated to do something about that, otherwise you are just going to end up inside for longer and longer periods.”

Smith was given probation with a 12-month community order with nine months of drug rehabilitation which will be reviewed regularly by the court.

He was also given up to 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

District Judge Cousins added: “I take into account the fact you have spent two weeks in custody.”