article_snippet.sent: It was not something that I intended to do, or something I do regularly.
article_snippet.sent: As I have said, because the goods were of a high value, the fact you do have a similar conviction - albeit a long time ago - and the fact that you did try to run away from the shop before being apprehended by the police, this makes it serious enough to merit a community order.
article_snippet.sent: It would be far more serious if you had not pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.