A pest control worker with a record of dishonesty has been jailed for a shoplifting offence in Bakewell.
Mark Pearson claimed he had lost his cap when he entered Ashley Gratton's shop for the second time on the afternoon of August 8.
"He said he was going upstairs to look for it. The complainant was suspicious and watched him on CCTV and then went up
stairs and followed him around the store.
"The defendant went downstairs with some clothing and asked to try it on. When he left the changing rooms, some items were missing," prosecutor Becky Mahon told Chesterfield magistrates.
Pearson, 44, was asked if his bag could be checked and he ran off, said Miss Mahon.
She added: "He was pursued and the outstanding items of clothing were taken from him."
Pearson, of Manchester, initially denied theft of three pairs of trousers worth £105 but pleaded guilty on the day of his trial, last December.
Sentence was adjourned for probation service reports and he failed to return to court on January 21. He admitted the breach of bail.
Pearson, who had a string of previous convictions for dishonesty, was jailed for two months.
Julie Page, defending, said he was unable to do a probation or unpaid work order because he worked around the country in pest control.
She said he would prefer a fine or conditional discharge – or even custody – so he could get on with his work in due course.
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