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Repeat shoplifter off to jail

Addictions blamed for five-finger discounts

Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 01/03) - A 50-year-old man, who stole meat, money and shoes -- and committed an indecent act at Long Lake beach -- was sentenced in territorial court this week to 4.5 months in jail.

William Buggins, 50, pleaded guilty to four thefts, breaching probation and committing an indecent act.

Buggins slipped two pre-packaged pork chops into his coat and was caught by an employee of the Northern Store in Hay River on May 17, Crown prosecutor Caroline Carrasco told the court on Tuesday. He was on probation at the time.

Then on June 8, he was seen by an employee leaving Extra Foods in Yellowknife without paying for a pot roast. A past court order forbade the man from entering Extra Foods.

The next month, Buggins was caught on videotape walking out of Bata Shoes in Centre Square Mall with a shoe box on July 14. Police located the man at a bar wearing the new running shoes.

A week later, he was seen fondling himself over his clothes while watching women and children play at the beach.

He was also spotted picking up an object in the picnic area. Police were called and Buggins was caught with cash in one hand and a purse in the other. He told police "I'm sorry. I'm a junkie."

Buggins has 63 past criminal convictions, most of them for property offences.

Defence lawyer Margot Engley said Buggins is currently homeless. She said the thefts were minor, and that Buggins has no history of past sexual offences and did not actually expose himself at the beach.

Buggins was intoxicated at the beach, Engley said, and doesn't remember anything about that day, apart from being arrested.

Buggins' alcohol problem has become worse since the recent death of his mother, she said.

Judge Michel Bourassa called the shoplifting "a big pain to merchants involved" and said the man's behaviour at the beach was unacceptable.