Man (39) allegedly stole champagne and scented candles during 'one-man crimewave' involving ill-fitting blonde wig
An alleged shoplifter wore an '"ill-fitting blonde-style wig" in an attempt at disguise during a "one-man crimewave" involving targeting hundreds of pounds’-worth of goods, including champagne, a court has heard.
Deputy District Judge Mark Hamill said that if Gary Cully – who is aged 39 years old and has an address in Barra Drive in the Ballykeel area of eastern Ballymena – was released on bail, shopkeepers would "be in tears".
A police officer told Ballymena Magistrates' Court that in July the defendant entered Sainsbury's in Ballymena "and this time he was wearing an ill-fitting blonde style wig".
They added: “He went straight to the alcohol section and he stole alcohol to the value of £50."
Cully faces 27 charges including thefts from Sainsbury’s in Ballymena and Coleraine, Home Bargains, Tesco in Ballymena, and Marks & Spencer.
Items taken included razors, protein powders, scented candles, meat and alcohol, including £131 of champagne.
Thefts took place between April and August and amounted to almost £1,200 including the theft of £35 worth of alcohol on July 12.
He is also charged with possession of cannabis on October 14.
When interviewed, the defendant who had 54 previous convictions, said he could not recall some of the new alleged incidents because he was under the influence of alcohol.
A defence barrister said the defendant sees 'Community Addictions'.
Judge Hamill said shopkeepers "would be in tears" if he granted bail.
He said Cully was "basically a one-man crimewave" and the risk of further offending was "a certainty".
At a hearing on Thursday, the defendant was remanded in custody and the case was adjourned to mid-November.