‘Career shoplifter’ targeted woman in East Lothian shop

A “career shoplifter” who stole a woman’s mobile phone from a Tranent shop has been placed on a supervision order.

Wright appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court

David Wright was also caught stealing a quantity of meat from the Aldi store in Musselburgh in April last year.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told the 34-year-old crook grabbed the £500 iPhone belonging to Esther Watters at Tranent Pet Supplies outlet on April 20 last year.

The drug addict, from Tranent, targeted he Musselburgh supermarket nine days later and took the meat worth £38 without paying for it.

The court was told the mobile phone and the meat were not recovered.

Wright had admitted the two offences at an earlier court hearing and he was back in the dock on Wednesday for sentencing.

Defending lawyer Stephen Mannifield said Wright was “now clean of illicit drugs” and was engaging with East Lothian Council services to help him beat his addictions.

Sheriff Nigel Ross ordered Wright to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work in the community and placed him on a supervision order for the next 20 months.

The sheriff added: “You are a career shoplifter and this has to end.”

Wright was also appearing in court on three other charges which were all deferred to May next year., again at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Wright admitted to stealing an iPhone from Tranent Pet Supplies, Haddington Road, Tranent, on April 20 last year.

He also pleaded guilty to stealing a quantity of meat from Aldi, Newhailes Road, Musselburgh, on April 29 last year.

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