Thief who stole giant Nutcracker doll avoids jail
CPSA thief who stole a giant Christmas Nutcracker doll from TK Maxx in broad daylight has avoided jail.
Ross Smith, 47, of Falcon Road, East Cowes, pleaded guilty at Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court to one count of theft from a shop.
Smith entered TK Maxx in Newport on 3 December before walking off with the statue, which was valued at £249.99.
At a hearing on 17 March, Isle of Wight magistrates extended an existing suspended sentence to 15 months.
At the time of the theft, Smith was subject to a suspended six-month sentence imposed in April 2025 for possession of a knife, as well as an active community order.
He also owed just under £1,500 in court fines and costs.
On 17 March, the magistrates ordered Smith to pay £249.99 in compensation to TK Maxx but chose not to activate his suspended sentence, noting he had otherwise complied with its requirements.
Instead, the court extended the suspended sentence order by three months.
