A THIEF who snatched expensive jackets from Keswick’s George Fisher store had his court sentencing hearing postponed — after becoming a crime victim himself when his phone was stolen on his birthday.

Mark Wate, 51, was brought to Carlisle Magistrates’ Court last month after he committed two copycat crimes on separate dates in the Lakes tourist town.

On Sunday, August 27, Wate had snatched two expensive jackets — one Berghaus women’s MTN Guide Alpine Pro and an Arc’teryx Beta from the well known outdoor equipment shop on Borrowdale Road.

These had a total value of £900.

Wate returned to the scene of his crime three months later, on Sunday, November 11. On that date he stole two Arc’teryx Beta insulated coats with a combined price tag of £700.

Wate, of Curren Gardens, Gateshead, entered guilty pleas to two charges of theft during the December court hearing. A pre-sentence report was ordered and the defendant was due to attend an interview with a probation officer to enable the preparation of that document.

On Monday of this week, Wate returned to court and was due to have been sentenced for the two crimes. That was until a district judge heard it had not been possible to prepare the pre-sentence report.

These reports are requested in criminal court cases to provide background about a defendant’s offending, details of their personal circumstances and recommendations for rehabilitation.

The court heard it had not been possible for a probation officer to arrange an appointment with Wate, despite them calling by phone and sending a text message.

Defence lawyer Duncan Campbell said the defendant’s phone had been “lost in a shop”. However, Wate told the district judge, Arlegh Davies: “It got pinched on my birthday.”

That was the date on which he had entered guilty pleas in court at Carlisle.

Wate’s case was adjourned for three weeks, to February 5, for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

He told the court he could be contacted on his cousin’s phone, although the district judge did wonder why he could not have been written to, given that his address was on the court file.

Until the new sentencing hearing, Wate has been granted bail. One condition prohibits him from entering the George Fisher store.