A homeless man who stole more than £200 worth of goods from shops in Ryde, has been handed a community order.
Kaine Cooper, 28, of no fixed abode, appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court having previously admitted 10 counts of theft from a shop.
The court heard how between the 21st June and 4th August, Cooper stole from Sainsbury’s on Union Street on no less than 9 occasions. The price of the goods stolen were valued at £212.33.
Among the items stolen were; beer, grapes, chicken breasts, ice cream, sandwiches and pringles.
The final of the 10 offences was committed whilst Cooper was on Police bail for the previous matters.
On the 17th August, the 28-year entered The Co-op on Anglesea Street in Ryde and stole a single crate of Peroni. Police were able to recover 7 of the 10 stolen bottles of Italian beer.
The court heard how Cooper, who has been in custody at HMP Isle of Wight since being arrested in August, has 46 offences on his record. Cooper was handed a prison sentence back in March for offences committed in London. He currently has outstanding community orders with courts in Croydon and Guildford.
Defending Cooper, Tom Cooke, said that alcohol and homelessness issues were at the centre of Cooper’s offending. He also went on to say that whilst he had been remanded in custody, Cooper had contacted Inclusion Isle of Wight.
Magistrates opted to hand Cooper a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation days attached. He has also been ordered to pay compensation of £212.33 to Sainbsury’s.
Well done judge, a real deterrent, NOT!!
There was no judge. These were lay magistrates. Sadly, I think the time has come to aboish the lay magistracy in favour of professional judges. The lay bench simply no longer commandsd the confidence of local communities.