Jail for Falkirk serial shoplifter who stole alcohol on 16 occasions

David Edgar, 34 Corentin Court, Falkirk, appeared from custody via video link at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday.

The 60-year-old had pleaded guilty to a string of offences that saw him pinch “just over £100” over the course of a year.

His stealing spree began on October 30, 2019 at Asda, Grangemouth when he nicked bottles of booze.

Edgar then stole from Iceland in Grangemouth the following day.

He again made off with alcohol from Asda, Grangemouth on February 27 and 29 and March 9 last year.

The thief pinched booze from SPAR, Charlotte Dundas Court, Grangemouth, on March 10, 2020 and repeated the crime at Tesco, Central Retail Park, Falkirk, on June 11.

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On two occasions on July 26, he was caught stealing alcohol from Morrisons in Hope Street, Falkirk.

Similarly, Edgar stole from Asda, Newmarket Centre, Falkirk, on two occasions on October 14.

Just four days later, he made off with booze during a double raid on Tesco, Central Retail Park, Falkirk.

Edgar then stole a quantity of alcohol from SPAR, Newhouse Road, Grangemouth, while on bail on October 25.

On the same day, he also raided SPAR in Charlotte Dundas Court, Grangemouth.

His series of crimes came to a halt after Edgar shoplifted alcohol from Asda, Newmarket Centre, Falkirk, on November 1.

Defence solicitor Martin Morrow told Sheriff Derek Livingston: “He was very frank with social workers.

“He thought at 60 he had to sort himself out and had to do that himself. His house was destroyed by his drinking.

“All of the charges are part of that drinking culture. He came to alcohol quite late in his life.

“The value is just over £100. He’s been in custody since January 11 and got a four-month sentence for a different matter.”

The court heard Edgar spent time in custody between November 26 and mid-January.

Sheriff Livingston responded: “He was placed on a structured deferred sentence and didn’t engage in the slightest.”

Imprisoning Edgar for ten months, he said: “You’re a regular shoplifter.

“Everything has been tried with you and nothing has worked except custody so I’m going to impose custody.”

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