Tesco thief banned from EVERY store in England and Wales for next five years
WATCH: Brazen MASKED thieves ransack Tesco as TERRIFIED workers plead for mercy
GB NEWS/INSTAGRAM
A 48-year-old man has been banned from every Tesco store in England and Wales for the next five years after stealing nearly £200 worth of spirits.
Jonathan Phoenix, from Buckley, north Wales, was handed the ban at Mold Magistrates' Court after admitting to theft at the Tesco store in the same town on December 27.
The court heard that Phoenix was caught with stolen bottles of spirits and wire cutters after being confronted by staff at the supermarket.
District Judge Gwyn Jones imposed the five-year restraining order as part of Phoenix's sentence - which also included a suspended prison term.
Phoenix was caught with stolen bottles of spirits and wire cutters at a Tesco store in Mold
Staff member Marcus Roberts had spotted Phoenix in the frozen goods aisle pushing a trolley containing bottles of spirits.
When reminded he wasn't allowed in the store and asked to leave, Phoenix replied: "I'm doing my shopping."
Staff noticed a "clank" when Phoenix picked up a 'bag for life' from his trolley - and discovered it contained bottles of spirits with security tags still attached.
Phoenix refused to acknowledge the concealed bottles, then left without paying.
Police later found him still in possession of the stolen goods, which were promptly returned to Tesco.
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Phoenix was handed the ban at Mold Magistrates' Court
Phoenix had 19 previous convictions for 36 offences, with 26 related to theft and similar matters.
But his defence lawyer Laura MacMillan pointed to how Phoenix hadn't appeared in court for any offences in the past 15 years - with his last conviction coming in 2010 for shop theft.
MacMillan told the court that while Phoenix had previously been a "prolific" offender due to addiction issues, he now "doesn't drink or take any drugs."
She added that her client has health issues and receives Universal Credit.
Judge Gwyn Jones told Phoenix: "This was a venture on your part to the Tesco store, taking a number of high value goods either for personal use or more likely to be sold elsewhere."
The judge noted Phoenix was "tooled up" with wire cutters at the time of the theft.
"Members of staff don't like to challenge people who steal - and it's the rest of us who pay for those who steal because prices go up," the judge said.
Phoenix received a 10-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
He must also pay a £154 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
The judge's final warning to Phoenix was simple: "Behave. Don't go stealing in any other stores."
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