An Isle of Wight man has avoided an immediate jail sentence after admitting 14 shop theft offences, including from Tesco, Boots and Co-op, in which items worth over £1,200, including meat and alcohol, were stolen.

Jason Blake, of Cornwall Road, Ventnor, attended the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on Friday, February 23, after previously pleading guilty to all the theft charges.

Lauren Stone, prosecuting, said the 37-year-old committed all the offences in Ventnor, across four-and-a-half months.

Between August 22, 2023, and January 7, 2024, Blake stole £1280 worth of items, primarily from Tesco Express, but also Boots, Co-op and Spar.

Blake admitted a series of charges:

  • Beauty items to the value of £228 stolen from Boots on August 22, 2023.
  • Alcohol to the value of £128 stolen from Boots on August 22, 2023.
  • Alcohol to the value of £227 stolen from Tesco on August 23, 2023.
  • Alcohol to the value of £178 stolen from Tesco on August 27, 2023.
  • Alcohol to the value of £84 stolen from Tesco on August 27, 2023.
  • Alcohol to the value of £111 stolen from Tesco on August 27, 2023.
  • Alcohol to the value of £148 stolen from Tesco on September 12, 2023.
  • Foodstuffs to the value of £14 stolen from Tesco on October 31, 2023.
  • Crate of Stella Artois lager to the value of £12 stolen from Tesco on January 3, 2024.
  • Four packs of steak to the value of £21 stolen from Tesco on January 4, 2024.
  • Selection of cheese and meats to the value of £30-£40 stolen from Tesco on January 4, 2024.
  • Drinks to the value of £48 stolen from Co-op on January 4, 2024.
  • Drinks to the value of £47 stolen from Co-op on January 5, 2024.
  • Foodstuff to the value of £5.50 stolen from Spar on January 7, 2024.

Michael McGoldrick, defending, said his client struggles with homelessness and alcohol abuse, both of which were a motivation for his offending.

Mr McGoldrick told the court Blake is ‘sick and tired’ of this offending and wants to tackle these issues.

Blake had not been in trouble with the law since being released on bail, following his guilty plea on January 9, the defence said.

Magistrates’ said Blake’s offending was so serious that the ‘custody threshold had been crossed’, but agreed to suspend his 12-week prison sentence for 12 months, as long as he does not commit any further offences.

Blake was also handed a 12-month community order, to include a nine-month alcohol treatment requirement, and must pay £678 compensation to Tesco.