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A man who stole a slushie machine, a Jägermeister dispenser, and a pizza oven from a Hartlepool bar has avoided immediate prison time.
Samuel Musgrave, 49, dressed in a high-visibility vest, walked into the Out Out bar on Navigation Point on June 13 and made off with items valued at £8,000. The haul also included a glass washing machine and a large screen projector.
Musgrave, of Kirkdale Street, Hetton-le-Hole, was caught after police identified him on the bar’s CCTV footage. When questioned, he claimed he thought the items “had been abandoned” and said he was “out looking for scrap” when he saw the opportunity.
Teesside Crown Court heard that Musgrave, who has prior convictions for burglary, acted on impulse when he entered the bar.
Judge Timothy Stead acknowledged Musgrave’s family responsibilities, including caring for his father and raising a teenage daughter. In sentencing, the judge warned him: “It’s time to avoid this type of temptation. There’s no point in filling prisons for this type of crime, but if you offend again soon, the court will likely take a different view.”
Musgrave was sentenced to an eight-month prison term, suspended for 18 months. As part of his punishment, he was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and attend 30 days of rehabilitation programs.
The court’s decision reflects a focus on rehabilitation while offering Musgrave a chance to avoid further criminal behavior.
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