A serial shoplifter with more than 100 convictions has been spared jail after stealing over £2,000 worth of goods from Birmingham city centre stores. Matthew Cavill, 44, of Vauxhall Crescent, Solihull, targeted the Bullring Entertainer, Selfridges and Sports Direct between December and March this year. He stole Lego sets and sports clothing worth a total of £2,035 across five separate incidents.
Court Hearing
At Birmingham Magistrates' Court, Deputy District Judge Wallace told Cavill: "It has to stop now. I'm going to step short of imposing a custodial sentence on you." The court heard Cavill has 98 previous offences, with prosecutor Ms Pogorzelska describing him as "a prolific offender with 98 offences, some of them committed on bail."
Defence Statement
Cavill's defence lawyer said he was "on the road to recovery for the first time" and had been keeping appointments with a community order since his arrest. The lawyer told the court his client had been referred to a psychologist and "things seem to be, for the first time in a long time, going according to plan."
Sentence and Warning
The judge sentenced Cavill to 15 rehabilitation activity days and ordered him to pay £100 compensation to each affected store. He warned: "Accept this chance because if you don't, it will start this revolving door."
