A prolific shoplifter who has accumulated more than 100 criminal offences has been issued a stark warning by a judge: 'it has to stop now'. Matthew Cavill, 44, from Vauxhall Crescent in Solihull, appeared at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, April 21, where he pleaded guilty to five counts of theft.
Cavill's latest crime spree took place between December and March, during which he stole over £2,000 worth of Lego sets and sports clothing from several stores in the Bullring shopping centre. His targets included the Entertainer, Selfridges, and Sports Direct.
Prosecutor Ms Pogorzelska detailed the offences: 'On December 12, the defendant entered Sports Direct and took a number of sports clothing items, placing them in a bag and leaving without payment. Security followed him out, and the value was £615.'
She continued: 'On March 14, he went into the Entertainer at 11am, collected some Lego sets, and removed the security tags. The third offence occurred on March 20 at Sports Direct on New Street, where he targeted the store at 12.30pm, taking large quantities of clothes totalling £500. The Entertainer was targeted again on March 23, with Lego sets worth £280 stolen. Finally, on March 29, he stole £240 worth of Lego from Selfridges.'
The total value of goods stolen during this period amounted to £2,035. The prosecutor noted that Cavill is a prolific offender with 98 previous offences, some committed while on bail, and is currently subject to a community order.
In mitigation, Cavill's lawyer argued that his client was 'on the road to recovery for the first time' and urged the judge to give him an opportunity. 'He knows that given his record, custody could be an option. However, these crimes were committed just a couple of weeks after the first order was made. He has a drug problem. Since the commission of these offences, he has kept all his appointments with that order. He has been referred to a psychologist, and things seem to be going according to plan for the first time in a long time. He has entered an early guilty plea and appears to be on the road to recovery. I invite the court to give him an opportunity to address his drug use.'
Sentencing, Deputy District Judge Wallace acknowledged Cavill's extensive record: 'You now have over 100 convictions, but I do note there is a large gap in offending. That tells me there was a time when you were clean.' The judge stressed that Cavill would not change 'until you start accepting help'.
Delivering the five-word warning, the judge said: 'It has to stop now. I'm going to step short of imposing a custodial sentence on you.' Instead, Cavill was ordered to complete 15 rehabilitation activity days and pay £100 compensation to each of the three stores. The judge concluded: 'Accept this chance because if you don't, it will start this revolving door. You will end up in a HMO or homeless. You are now free to go.'
