Burglar David Quilty has been jailed after swiping thousands of pounds worth of cigarettes along with cash from a newsagent.

The 38-year-old - labelled a 'prolific offender' by a top judge - targeted Newcastle's Ironmarket News where he damaged the shutters used to protect the business.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the defendant, who has 47 previous convictions for 91 offences, then took around £4,000-worth of cigarettes and hundreds in cash from the till and a coin jar, bringing the total value to £6,846.

David Quilty is behind bars

During the raid, which took place overnight on January 27, the shutters were damaged so badly they needed to be replaced at a cost of more than £1,000.

Prosecutor Amanda O’Mara told the court: “The owner does have insurance, but that didn’t cover the cigarettes, or any cash over £250.

“The shop owner is considerably out of pocket.”

Quilty, of High Street, Knutton, was identified from CCTV footage of the offence, but denied it was him. The 38-year-old was found guilty of burglary following a trial.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court

Mitigating, Scott Ashdown said: “This offence followed shortly after release from custody, which follows a cycle which is repeated, of offending to fund drug use.

“Shortly after release he is without any means to provide for himself, then in financial desperation commits the offence to fund his day-to-day living.

“But he appears before you, settled in accommodation, with a methadone prescription. He is finally in a place to show change.”

Judge Paul Glenn

Judge Paul Glenn jailed Quilty for 16 months. He told him: “You have been a prolific offender for 20-years.

“This is a small business and the loss of that amount of stock and repairing the damage will hit them hard, especially as I’m told they are not insured for most of the stock.

“To me there is nothing that indicates any realistic prospect of rehabilitation.”

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