Yahoo News Prolific Sunderland crook went straight out shoplifting after being released from custody
A brazen crook walked straight to a nearby shop after being released from custody in order to steal.
Paul Bolam, who was also on bail for biting a police officer at the time, was let out of Forth Banks Police Station following his arrest and headed just around the corner to Sainsbury's, where he helped himself to more than £130-worth of food and drinks. The 42-year-old was spotted by a store worker and, as a result, was back behind bars just an hour after being released.
This time, the serial pest, formerly of Sunderland but now of no fixed abode, was kept in a cell overnight and appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court in custody to pleaded guilty to shop theft. He also admitted a further shoplifting offence, assaulting an emergency worker and possession of cannabis.
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Glenda Beck, prosecuting, said the first shoplifting offence happened on August 26 when Bolam stole tins of salmon, of an unknown value, from Sainsbury's at Newcastle's Monument. Then, on October 13 this year, police were called to Gladstone Street, in Sunderland, following reports of a disturbance.
Mrs Beck said Bolam turned aggressive with the officers and he was arrested, prompting him to admit he had a small bag of cannabis hidden in his sock. While in a cell, Bolam assaulted one of the constables.
Mr Beck continued: "The officer entered the cell and was attempting to take hold of the defendant's left arm. As he was attempting to do this, he felt pressure and pain in his right wrist. He looed down and saw that the defendant had his teeth on his wrist, biting him."
The court heard that the officer had been wearing gloves at the time, so no skin was broken but red marks had been left. Finally, Bolam, who has 78 offences for theft alone on his record, was arrested for a unrelated matter on Sunday, November 3, and was subsequently released from Forth Banks Police Station, in Newcastle City Centre.
Mrs Beck added: "Less than an hour later, he entered the Sainsbury's store at Newcastle Central Station and stole drinks and food worth £138.68. He placed the goods in a Co-op carrier bag.
"He was detained by store staff and the British Transport Police were called. The defendant was arrested at 8.20pm and taken back to Forth Banks."
The court heard that Bolam was a prolific shoplifter but it was "out of character" for him to assault police. Jonathan Pigford, defending, said: "Mr Bolam has significant issues with alcohol and cannabis use.
"It's disheartening to note that he had made some progress on his post-sentence supervision but it's the continuation of offending, which is due to his alcohol and cannabis use, that is the problem."
Jailing Bolam, who has also been recalled to prison, for 16 weeks, District Judge Paul Currer said: "Unfortunately, you continue to offend and it's right that it's your addiction to alcohol and cannabis that has led to that offending. It's led you to have a pretty miserable existence."
Bolam must also pay £100 compensation to the officer he bit.
