CONVICTED fraudster Clint Elliott tried to commit fraud again to get cash for his fare home so he could be there in time for his curfew.
Elliott (32), of Wellington Way, Market Deeping, was given a 12-week 7pm-7am curfew on March 8 when he admitted fraud at Morrisons in Pinchbeck by picking up discarded receipts and stealing matching items to claim cash refunds.
Only 14 days later, he tried the same thing at Homebase in Stamford when he missed the last bus home and was worried he might be sent to prison if he breached his curfew.
When rumbled at the till, Elliott threatened staff by saying he had a knife in his bag and would “stab them”.
At Thursday’s hearing at Spalding Magistrates’ Court, Elliott was given a 12-week prison term, suspended for nine months, when he pleaded guilty to fraud and threatening behaviour. He must also pay £85 costs.
Rebecca Ritson, prosecuting, said Elliott didn’t have a knife but staff were in fear and let him leave the store. The goods he tried to claim a refund for were worth £37.06.
Solicitor Daven Naghen, mitigating, said Elliott attended a Jobcentre appointment and, through no fault of his own, missed the last bus.
He was worried about going to prison and didn’t want to let down his pregnant partner.
Elliott called his mother but she wasn’t available to give him a lift so he tried to get a refund to pay a train fare to Peterborough and get a bus home from there.
Mr Naghen said Elliott was someone who made wrong choices when in bad positions.