CRIME SPREE
Marco Pierre White Jr AVOIDS jail for raid on tattoo shop called Behind Bars – but is branded ‘professional criminal’
Troubled reality star had only just been released from jail when he targeted the shop
TROUBLED Marco Pierre White Jr has avoided jail after raiding a tattoo shop - called "Behind Bars".
The ex-Celebrity Big Brother star carried out the burglary in September at the store in Weston-Super-Mare in Somerset.
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He was seen leaving with a haul of stolen goods - including a jewellery box and electronic items - but dropped it when police spotted him.
White - son of celeb chef Marco Pierre White Sr - tried to flee but was caught by officers a short time later.
The star had only been released from jail just two months before the raid.
He also targeted two other stories in Bath and Weston-Super-Mare in October.
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White was branded a "professional criminal" after admitting burglary at North Somerset Magistrates' Court but still swerved a jail term.
He was instead handed a 30-week sentence suspended for 18 months.
White was also subjected to a non-residential drug rehabilitation order, under which he must provide samples for nine months.
The court was told: "The defendant has a flagrant disregard for people and their property because the number and nature of the offences shows that the defendant is operating as a professional criminal."
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The crime is the latest in a long line of convictions for White, who appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2016.
Just four days after he was booted out the house, he appeared in court after being stopped in his BMW while under the influence of cocaine.
In January 2019, White was convicted and fined after calling police officers "f*****s" while they tried to arrest him for being drunk and disorderly in a train station.
Just five months later, he was ordered to pay more than £1,000 for running out on a £27 restaurant bill after his debit card was declined.
In July the same year, he was dragged "kicking and screaming" to a police station after smashing windows during a row with his famous dad.
White was caged for 18 months in 2022 after pleading guilty to a staggering 14 offences - including racial abuse and carrying a knife.
In May, he was nicked for raiding a cafe after his trousers fell down - revealing his tell-tale tattoos.
The reality star, who has battled heroin addiction since he was 18, was captured on CCTV stealing £250 from the till before making his escape through a window.
Marco Pierre White Jr's long rap sheet
Marco Pierre White Jr was born May 24, 1995 to celebrity chef Marco Pierre White and Mati Conejero, and grew up in Chelsea, West London.
He had a turbulent upbringing before becoming an artist and model.
Marco Jr appeared on the 17th series of Big Brother where his behaviour led to 634 complaints to Ofcom, and he was evicted first.
Other housemates during that series included Andrew Tate and Laura Carter.
In November 2019, he welcomed baby daughter Arabella Rosa.
He was convicted of multiple criminal offences between June 2016 and August 2022, and was sentenced to 79 weeks in prison.
In January 2017, he spoke about leaving his wild lifestyle behind after moving to his dad's farm in Wiltshire with partner Francesca Suter, where he tended the pigs, bulls and turkeys.
In March 2017, he tweeted a shocking outburst against the parents of missing Madeleine McCann ahead of the 10th anniversary of their daughter's disappearance.
In May 2017 he launched a sex toy brand called Velvet Love.
The website said: "Velvet Love supplies celebrities and London's elite with beautifully crafted, British made sex toys — ideal for all those special occasions."
In September 2017 he described the Parsons Green train bombing as "why I don't take the tube #theRichDontDie", before deleting the latter shortly afterwards and apologising.
In January 2019, Marco Jr was fined £200 having admitted drink and racial harassment charges after he said “f*** these n****rs” as he was arrested at a bar in Paddington Station.
In June 2019, he was ordered by a court to pay £1,328.05 in fines and costs after failing to pay for a £27 breakfast at Kingsmead Kitchen in Bath.
In August 2020, he given a 32-week suspended sentence for two offences of possessing class A drugs, among other offences, and was ordered to wear an electronic tag.
In 2022, Marco Junior pleaded guilty to 14 offences of shoplifting, possessing a knife, possessing heroin and a racially aggravated public order offence.
He was sentenced to 11 months, with 32 weeks of the previously suspended jail term to run consecutively.
On May 24 - his 29th birthday - he pleaded guilty at Bristol Magistrates' Court following the cafe raid and was sentenced to 41 weeks in prison for burglary and "other offences".
He was released - only to be jailed again in August for stealing from a Sainsbury's.
In August, White was sentenced to eight weeks in jail for stealing socks from a Sainsbury's near his dad's hotel The Rudloe.
White also stole £382.44 JBL headphones and burgled The Crown Inn in Bath for £2,000 of cigarettes.
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Investigating officer PC Joseph Reed said: "Retail crime causes immense harm to our communities and we're committed to tackling these offences in all their forms.
"This defendant was spotted by a member of the public in the aftermath of the Weston-super-Mare burglary incident, which enabled officers to make a swift arrest. He's now been brought to justice for three offences within a short period of time."
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