A THIEF caught attempting to fraudulently sell a stolen gold ring has escaped an immediate prison term.

Nathan Harrison, who gave a care of address in Hereford, admitted six charges of theft from a shop, one of handling stolen goods, and one of fraud by false representation when he appeared before magistrates in Worcester.

The court heard the 37-year-old had stolen Lottery scratch cards on August 9, cleaning products on August 10, and meat and cleaning items on August 12, all from Co-op in Worcester's Gresham Road.

He had also stolen groceries worth £87.55 on August 18, groceries worth £189.30 on August 21, and groceries worth £10 on September 10, all from BP's Lower Wick Service Station.

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Harrison had further dishonestly undertaken or assisted in the retention, removal, disposal, or realisation of stolen goods, namely a gold and diamond ring worth £1,700 on August 16, knowing or believing it to be stolen, and committed fraud by presenting a ring as lawfully his to sell, intending to make a gain, in Worcester on the same date.

Magistrates said the offences included the handling of an item of sentimental value that had been taken in a burglary, but that the defendant is working well with his offender manager and other offender agencies to combat his offending behaviour and handed him an overall sentence of eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

He must pay total compensation of £286.85 to Lower Wick Service Station, but no costs order was made due to his lack of means.

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