An Isle of Wight shoplifter was chased down an alleyway after he stole a basket full of meat, a court has heard.

Matthew Blanchard, of no fixed abode, attended the IW Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, October 1, and pleaded guilty to theft from a shop.

Lauren McConnell, prosecuting, said Blanchard entered Sandown High Street's Sainsbury’s store at around 1pm on September 14.

A customer at the store informed a worker that the 50-year-old had left the store with a basket full of meat valued at £66, the court heard.

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Ms McConnell told magistrates that the worker chased after Blanchard and found him down an alleyway, where the shoplifter was challenged.

The basket was returned, but Blanchard made off with the meat.

Later, a police patrol stumbled upon Blanchard, who spotted his bag full of meat and detained him, Ms McConnell said.

The items were recovered, but due to how long they were out of refrigeration, they could not be restocked, the court heard.

Blanchard has ten previous convictions for 32 offences, including two for shoplifting in October last year and a further three in August 2024.

Jim Osborne, defending, said Blanchard takes “full responsibility” and “sincerely regrets” his actions.

Mr Osborne said his client’s troubles began when his 23-year relationship came to an abrupt end and left him homeless, isolated from his children.

“Things have gone downhill since then,” Mr Osborne told the court, who added that Blanchard has been ‘sofa surfing’ and relying on friends to support him.

Magistrates heard that Blanchard ‘stole to survive’, but he ‘knows he cannot continue the way it’s going now’.

Blanchard’s case was adjourned pending the completion of a pre-sentence report.

He will return to court for sentencing on December 13 and was granted bail, with conditions not to enter Sainsbury’s.