A prolific shoplifter was stopped in his tracks by a security guard after trying to steal from a shop in Bolton.
Damian Dunstan, 40, was known across the town for carrying out thefts when he tried to steal from B&M in Breightmet earlier this month on Saturday, January 7.
But as he was trying to walk out, he was stopped by security officer Leland James, who said he knew Dunstan, of Winchester Way, to be a prolific shoplifter.
Mr James said: “He entered B&M and selected and concealed numerous packets of laundry pods he then exited without payment and I detained him for theft.
“I got Damian Dunstan into the back of the shop and rang 999 and got two armed police first on the scene followed by six other police officers.”
Mr James explained that Dunstan has been well known as a thief.
He said: “Damian Dunstan was already wanted after failing to appear for sentencing on a previous incident of theft from B&M in Breightmet.
“So he was initially arrested for that then further arrested for theft again today and then further arrested for possession of a bladed article.
“The police said they were numerous other incidents of theft reported against him recently and they were building a case against him.”
After his arrest, Dunstan appeared in Wigan and Leigh Magistrates Court where he plaeded guilty to 11 counts of theft from a shop.
As well as trying to steal from the B&M earlier this month, he also pleaded guilty to a string of thefts at branches of the Co-op and Spar.
ALSO READ: Jailed serial shoplifter had 'appalling' criminal record
ALSO READ: Thefts, speeding and wasting police time cases heard by magistrates
ALSO READ: 'Watch your back': Prolific shoplifter threatened staff across Bolton
Dunstan also pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive words on January 7, the same day he had been stopped at the Breighmet B&M branch and indicated a guilty plea for possession of a knife in a public place, again on January 7.
Dunstan was given a sentence of 39 weeks in prison after magistrates decided that his "appalling record" and the seriousness of his crimes meant that only a jail sentence could be justified.
They also ordered that the knife be seized and destroyed.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article