Teenage serial thief receives jail sentence

Liam Foster stole perfume, tanning lotion and hair product as part of a campaign directed at stores in the city.

The 19-year-old also punched and threatened to stab a security guard who intervened as he tried to steal sunglasses from another shop.

Foster, of Kinnaird Street in the city, was convicted of thefts, attempted thefts, common assault, threats to kill and criminal damage to an electronic monitoring tag.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard he stole tanning lotion worth £86.50 from a branch of Boots in April last year.

In July he again targeted Boots as well as Specsavers in the city.

In October he targeted another two shops – B&M Bargains and Poundland.

Defence barrister Aileen Smyth argued that Foster has significant learning difficulties and a low IQ.

Ordering Foster to serve five months in the Young Offenders’ Centre, District Judge Liam McNally confirmed the sentence covered all offences.