Southsea Shoplifter Nabbed After Social Media Sting!
A brazen thief from Southsea was hauled before Portsmouth Magistrates after a public social media appeal helped crack the case. Mark Hawkins, 40, of St Andrews Road, admitted nicking a brand new laptop from Computer Junction on Elm Grove back in January.
Caught Red-Handed on CCTV
Hawkins left behind more than just stolen goods – CCTV caught him in the act, delivering crystal clear images of the balding culprit as he made off with the laptop. The footage quickly went viral on social media the next day, with dozens of users tagging and identifying the petty criminal in no time.
Multiple Crimes Land Hawkins in Hot Water
But that’s not all. In court, Hawkins also confessed to assaulting a victim on 1 Road (7th January), stealing £199 worth of accessories from Wilko on Arundel Street (6th March), smashing a shop window at Fratton Asda, and possessing cannabis – a Class B drug – on 2nd April.
Community Order, Not Jail
Despite his lengthy record of run-ins with the law, Hawkins slipped through without jail time. Instead, he got a community order mandating 40 days of rehabilitation and must cough up £249 in compensation to his victims.
