Thief makes his escape in electric wheelchair

A wheelchair-user who stole some clothes tried to flee shop staff in an electric invalid buggy. Steven Ribchester, 40, refused to stop when he was challenged by Marks & Spencer staff after rolling up clothing and leaving without paying.

They called police who caught up with him "speeding" along the pavement at 8mph in his electric wheelchair with M&S security running at his side.

An officer had to lift it off the ground for another to switch it off to stop him.



Ribchester, 40, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to stealing clothes worth £39. Blackburn magistrates fined him £90, which was set against time spent in custody.

Eddie Harrison, prosecuting, said Ribchester was caught on CCTV stealing the goods. He added: "When staff tried to detain him he refused to stop and they said he 'made off at speed' in his wheelchair.

"They contacted police through the town centre radio link and officers in a marked police car caught up."