It was a bold move, innit. Gary Awty, 47, no fixed abode but plenty of form (172 offences on the books), hit two stalls at St Stephen's in Hull. Mobiles and cash gone by the time the staff clocked in — 48 phones worth between £10k-£15k, and £6k in cash from one stall. Plus another £1,130 from a beauty kiosk.
CCTV caught him under the sheets for hours, but it was a spot-on-the-street that did him in. Recognised by a patrol officer, he went down quick. Pleaded guilty and got two years four months. Remorseful now, apparently, bruv. But the damage is done — customers' phones gone, tills empty.