"Drink problem" made man steal £100 of alcohol

Thursday 04 January 2018

A man has pleaded guilty to stealing alcohol on three different occasions because of a drinking problem.

38-year-old Dean Carl Bailey, originally from Middlesbrough, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday charged with three counts of larceny.

On 6 August 2017, Bailey stole a litre bottle of vodka, eight cans of lager, various groceries and a plastic shopping bag to the value of £60.98 from the Co-op store on Don Street.

He committed a further theft at the same shop four days later, this time taking a 70cl bottle of vodka, 12 cans of lager, a bottle of Jägermeister and a plastic shopping bag totalling £55.97.

Pictured: Co-op store on Don Street from which Bailey stole several bottles of alcohol. (Google Maps)

The 38-year-old also stole a bottle of white wine costing £7 from the Columbus Stores in St Helier on 5 November 2017.

All three charges were made after he was spotted stealing the items on CCTV footage.

In yesterday’s Court hearing, the prosecution read a Police statement stating that Bailey did not recall the incidents, but “was embarrassed” when he saw himself on the CCTV footage.

He then admitted he had a drink problem.

Magistrate Bridget Shaw asked Bailey if he had anything to say. He replied: “I totally agree with everything that has been said. I’ve got a bit of a problem at the moment and I’m addressing it. I’m on a detox programme with the Drugs and Alcohol Service to try to take steps to change my life.”

Magistrate Shaw told Bailey that a Social Enquiry Report found that he was “stuck in a vicious cycle and alcohol doesn’t help his low mood.” 

In sentencing, Magistrate Shaw commented: “In an attempt to break the cycle, prevent re-offending and for your own welfare, I will order probation.”

Bailey was subsequently handed nine months’ probation and fined £123.95 as compensation to the shops, to be paid over six months.