An alcoholic who went on a theft spree in Ryde and Newport, stealing over £360 of alcohol from shops, also helped himself to a bottle of Irn Bru.
Robert McCamley, 41, of Green Street in Ryde, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of theft from a shop when he appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on Friday (27th January).
Liz Miller, prosecuting, told the court that McCamley committed the offences between 13th July and 14th October last year and that none of the goods stolen had been recovered. Ms Miller said the defendant had been drunk at the time of each offence.
The first incident happened at Sainsbury’s in Newport when McCamley stole 2 bottles of gin by placing them into a bag. He simply walked out of the store without paying but was challenged by staff.
All the other offences took place in Ryde. At Tesco, McCambley removed security tags from bottles and concealed them in a bag, stealing 4 bottles of pink gin and a bottle of Irn Bru.
Co-op stores on Anglesea Street and West Street took the brunt of McCamley’s offending with gin, wine and Stella Artois all stolen over a 5-week period.
The court heard that the 41-year-old had previous convictions for shoplifting dating back to 2012.
Defending, Oscar Vincent explained to the bench that his client was unemployed and on long-term sick due to anxiety and depression. Mr Vincent highlighted McCambley’s 10-year gap in offending, explaining how he had relapsed in respect of his alcohol addiction.
Mr Vincent told the court that in interview, McCamley said of his own accord:
“I apologise for everything I’ve done wrong. I have addiction problems. I lost my way but I’m trying to sort my life out”.
Magistrates heard that McCamley is working with Inclusion and acknowledges he needs more professional support off the back of a hospital detox between 3rd-10th January.
The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be compiled with Robert McCamley due back before Magistrates on 24th February.
stealing over £360 of alcohol from shops, also helped himself to a bottle of Irn Bru
Co-op stores on Anglesea Street and West Street took the brunt of McCamley’s offending with gin, wine and Stella Artois all stolen over a 5-week period
none of the goods stolen had been recovered – ha ha you don’t say – caned the lot, each time he left the shop, each day more like.
41-year-old had previous convictions for shoplifting dating back to 2012 – in other words, after 10 years – a lost cause – will be sponging off the state, stealing from shops and generally being a burden on society until the grave
wow… lets just hope he gets the help he needs and not call him a lost cause, anyone can change and sometimes it takes something like this to actually get the help you need when living with mental health or suffering from addiction.
Poor Bob. He’s trying to sort his life out. Sounds like he just needs a break and a bit of help.
Why are shops in Ryde stealing bottles of gin and Irn Bru?