Homeless 70-year-old with 170 previous theft convictions stole £100-worth of goods from Boston store

A 70-year-old homeless man has been ordered to pay back more than £100 in compensation after two store thefts.

Neil Doughy stole items from the Co-Op store on Boston’s Woodville Road on two separate occasions within the space of a fortnight.

But after being spotted on CCTV he found himself before the town’s magistrates on Wednesday (June 11).

Prosecutor Fiona McClelland told the court Doughty stole ‘six large chocolate bars’ worth £32.10 which he ‘concealed in his clothing’ from the shop on March 6.

He returned on March 20 , this time taking mincemeat and chocolate valued at £68.30.

“He put the items in a bag and left without making an attempt for them,” Miss McClelland said.

“He was captured on CCTV.

“In interview he admitted to both thefts.”

The court was told Doughty - who gave a forwarding address of Boston homeless charity Centrepoint Outreach - had a previous 179 theft convictions dating from 1966 to 2019.

“I’ve known Mr Doughty for 3 years, since I’ve been in Boston,” said Mike Alexander, in defence.

“He has always been well presented and it was a matter of pride for him to walk around town dressed in what you would describe as his Sunday best.

“But in recent years, certainly over the past 12 months, Mr Doughty’s care for himself has diminished remarkably.”

Mr Alexander - who labelled the charges ‘relatively low thefts’ - pointed to the death of the defendant’s mother, plus health issues including dementia and a blood clot, as contributing factors in a change to Mr Doughty’s demeanour.

Magistrates ordered Doughty to pay back £100.40 in compensation to the Co-Op.

“We’ll take this as a one-off, stay out of trouble,” the bench told him.