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12
May
Harrogate M&S alcohol thief caught by police dog avoids jail
A man who stole a large amount of alcohol from a Harrogate supermarket has avoided prison.
David Bettles-Hall, of no fixed address, appeared at York Magistrates Court on May 8, when he pleaded guilty to burglary and theft from a shop.
The charges came after North Yorkshire Police officers were alerted to an incident at Marks and Spencer on Cambridge Street in the early hours of May 7.
Police attended the scene after £541 worth of spirits and champagne had been stolen from the store.
With the help of police dog Thor, officers managed to locate Bettles-Hall nearby.
Bettles-Hall also stole food totalling £15 from the Co-op on Harrogate's Skipton Road on April 15.
The 42-year-old was sentenced to 18 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.
A spokesperson for the Courts and Tribunals Service told the Stray Ferret the offences were so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified, and described his record of offending as "appalling".
Bettles-Hall must also complete a six-month drug rehabiliation requirement and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He was excluded from all M&S and Co-op sites in North Yorkshire for the next year and ordered to pay £250 in compensation.
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