A shoplifter who stole expensive jackets during two criminal visits to Keswick’s George Fisher store has been sentenced by magistrates.
Mark Wate, 51, snatched Berghaus women’s MTN Guide Alpine Pro and an Arc’teryx Beta coats worth £900 from the well known Borrowdale Road shop on Sunday, August 27, last year. Wate then returned to the scene of his original crime weeks later, on Sunday, November 11. On that occasion he pinched two Arc’teryx Beta insulated coats with a combined price tag of £700.
When brought before Carlisle Magistrates’ Court in December, Wate pleaded guilty to two theft charges.
His case was adjourned for the preparation of a probation service pre-sentence report, and he was due to have been given his punishment for the two crimes last month.
But that sentencing hearing was postponed by a district judge who heard it had not been possible to prepare that report. Contact had been lost with Wate after he became a crime victim himself when his phone was stolen. As he was finally sentenced, magistrates imposed a 12-month community order.
Wate, of Curren Gardens, Gateshead, must complete up to 20 days of rehabilitation work with a probation officer. He was also fined £80 and must pay a compensation contribution of £850.
