Prolific shoplifter from St Leonards jailed for six months

John Nicholas William Larkin, 32, of Willingdon Way, St Leonards, appeared at Hastings Magistrates’ Court which heard how he threatened shop staff with needles infected with Hepatitis B.

Larkin pleaded guilty to numerous thefts, including stealing five cosmetic gift packs from Morrisons, in Hargreaves Road, Eastbourne, on December 27 last year.

He also admitted assaulting Glen Birch. On the same day, he stole meat and alcohol worth £136.50 from Aldi, in Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne.

On Boxing Day he stole six bottles of whisky from Asda, in Battle Road, St Leonards. He also shoplifted 11 bottles of Ariel Gel from the Co-op, in Devonshire Road, Bexhill on December 2.

On the same day he stole nine tins of coffee from the Co-op, in Western Road, Bexhill. Larkin admitted assaulting staff members Fabio Defraitus at Aldi and Paul Bell at Asda. He also caused £200 damage to a door lock at Hastings Law Courts on July 2, 2018.

Larkin threatened Michael Borrer at Hastings Law Courts on July 7 and failed to surrender to custody on December 18.

He is banned from possessing any needles or pointed objects in public for two years.

Larkin was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115. His guilty pleas were taken into account when imposing sentence.