One-man Wolverhampton crime-wave who threatened shop staff with a machete now behind bars
A one-man crime-wave has admitted repeatedly plundering shops in Wolverhampton culminating with knife-point robberies.
Steven Baker, 46, shoplifted from shops in Tettenhall and Wolverhampton stealing cheese, tuna, alcohol, Nutella, chocolate and coffee.
Baker, of no fixed address, also stole from Greggs, Tesco and other city centre stores throughout June this year.
However, Baker escalated to robbery when he began taking knives and machetes to shops and threatening staff whilst demanding money.
Baker threatened staff at One Stop, Prestwood Road, on June 30, with a knife and stole stock before brazenly walking off.
In July 3 he went armed with a Stanley knife and committed robbery on July 3 holding up staff at One Stop Stores, Wolverhampton.
Three days later Baker, wearing a red t-shirt during his court appearance, used a machete in an attempted robbery at Elvira Stores, Wednesfield.
After multiple complaints from shopkeepers West Midlands Police launched a manhunt to stop Baker before he injured someone.
On July 8, West Midlands Police brought an end to his crime spree after arresting him on Chesterton Road.
He was charged with two counts of robbery, one count of attempted robbery, two counts of possession of a knife or blade and two counts of theft from a shop.
Pleaded guilty
Baker pleaded guilty to all five counts at Wolverhampton Crown Court, appearing via video link from HMP Birmingham where is being held on remand, on Wednesday (August 6).
The court heard Baker had previous convictions for burglary, shoplifting and harassment and was on licence from a previous sentence during his crime spree.
District Judge Kevin Grego told Baker he would be sentenced in September after a pre-sentence report was completed.
He said: "Your criminal record shows you offend on a regular basis and I assume there substance abuse is at the root of your offending.
"You have graduated from shoplifting to aggressive shoplifting and now to robbery with a machete. You will be inevitably receive a custodial sentence. However, you will be given credit for pleading guilty. I have ordered a pre-sentence report to determine how long your sentence will be."
Baker was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on September 22.