A chronic North Albury thief and methamphetamine addict already charged four times in 12 months has landed back in court over his dishonesty.
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This time Christopher Asquith was arrested after fleeing from police on a mountain bike.
They had good reason to speak to him, as Asquith was wearing stolen clothing.
The Myer Albury jumper and jacket still had electronic anti-theft and price tags attached.
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Albury Local Court magistrate Rodney Brender was keen to sentence the 51-year-old this week.
But defence lawyer Sue Robey argued that Asquith, who moved gingerly in court with his plastered right arm in a sling, had instructed that he was too ill for his matter to be finalised.
The problem, she said, was he had a "major" infection of his blood.
But Mr Brender questioned just how well Asquith - who police said was "a well-known offender in the Albury area" - actually needed to be in order to be sentenced.
Asquith, who after his matter was dealt with could be seen relaxing with a cup of coffee at a nearby cafe, pleaded guilty to a single charge of goods in custody suspected of being stolen.
Mr Brender said Asquith's recent criminal history alone was significant, given he remained under a large number of good behaviour bonds.
"I haven't looked into this much but there's a heck of a lot of paperwork here."
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Police said Asquith linked his offending to his "ice" addiction.
"The accused has been charged on 69 occasions in total, with the large majority ... for property offences."
His latest offending was detected on July 9 when police saw Asquith riding his bike north along Dick Road, Lavington, about 2.40pm.
He saw them and took off, "looking over his shoulder as he successfully evaded police by riding through a reserve behind Hume Public School".
They called on him to stop, but he didn't. Soon after, he pedaled down an alleyway.
After he was stopped he was told to remove the $189.95 jacket and $119.95 jumper, then asked where he got the clothes.
"Got them from a mate a few days ago," he said.
Asquith will be sentenced on September 3.