A serial thief who targeted Belfast supermarkets as part of a three-month shoplifting spree has been jailed for 10 months.
Paul Carnduff stole hundreds of pounds worth of meat and other products in a campaign directed at branches of Tesco, Lidl and a Marks and Spencer food hall.
The 39-year-old, of no fixed abode, also assaulted two members of staff who tried to stop him fleeing from one of the stores.
Carnduff admitted eight counts of theft and an attempted theft, along with further counts of possessing Class A drugs and disorderly behaviour, on dates between November 2024 and January this year.
Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard he repeatedly took items from Tesco on York Street, including three separate incidents on the same day.
Prosecutors disclosed that around £600 worth of products in total were stolen from the retailer.
He was located and arrested in the city centre after CCTV footage of the thief was circulated.
In custody police searched him and recovered a quantity of cocaine.
In a separate incident he tried to steal £102 worth of meat products from Lidl on High Street in the city.
Carnduff pleaded guilty to two counts of common assault against staff members who attempted to intervene as he left the store.
The court was told police were alerted again after meat valued at £75 was stolen from Marks and Spencer on Donegall Place.
Carnduff was detained and immediately confessed to the theft.
“Two large pieces of silverside valued at £75 were located (in his bag),” a Crown lawyer added.
Carnduff was further detained on New Year’s Day after police discovered a number of empty needles and deal bags in a car park at Tomb Street.
District Judge Anne Marshall was told he became verbally abusive towards an officer attempting to search another member of the public.
“Due to his aggression he had to be restrained,” the Crown lawyer said.
“He continued shouting and arguing with police, calling them ‘stupid black b*******’.”
Defence counsel Conn O’Neill told the court Carnduff is now clean and sober after spending a number of weeks in custody.
“He’s very insightful of what he has done,” the barrister said.
Sentencing Carnduff to a total of 10 months in prison, Judge Marshall described it as “a whole array of offending” aggravated by the assaults on staff.
She stated: ““People are working in these shops for not that much money.
“It’s bad enough when they are trying to stop people walking out brazenly with £100 worth of meat, but you cannot put them in fear or strike them in any way.”