£13K drinks raider Stephen McCarthy jailed for five years

Serial offender Stephen McCarthy, 28, and others smashed shop windows with bricks to steal the goods in night raids on stores in Stockbridge, Fareham and Winchester.

Southampton Crown Court heard McCarthy had also been involved in a struggle with a van driver delivering goods to a shop in Shirley. He wrestled more than £1,370 worth of cigarettes away before running off to a waiting car and fleeing.

On another occasion, McCarthy dropped his trousers after being arrested for shoplifting in TK Maxx. He struggled free before being recaught.

McCarthy, of Radcliffe Road, admitted burglary, theft, causing actual bodily harm, resisting arrest and breaching a community order.

Asking for two other burglaries to be considered, he was jailed for five years.

Peter Asteris, defending, told Judge Peter Ralls QC that McCarthy welcomed prison because it would keep him away from drugs.

He described how McCarthy had been on the run from court when he was found in a crack house in Southampton, dependent on crack cocaine and heroin.

“He was in an extremely bad condition,”

said the barrister. “His physical and mental appearance has changed to the point his family almost didn’t recognise him. He had lost contact with his family, he has now been reconciled with them. To say he is remorseful would be an understatement.”