Barry Ingram, 44, is jailed for a year after repeatedly stealing from a Co-op store despite a court ban.
A court order banned him back in 2023. He ignored it and stole food from the store on Knypersley Road. He grabbed almost £500 worth of stuff.
The judge sentenced Barry to a year in jail at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. Barry has a long record and has been convicted many times.
Barry told police he blamed the rising cost of everything. He knew he wasn’t allowed in the store and admitted to stealing and breaking the order.
His lawyer admitted jail time was likely, explaining that Barry and his partner don’t have much money. He stole to feed them both, according to the lawyer.
The lawyer also mentioned Barry’s past drug habit. He’s been clean while in custody but used drugs when he stole.
The judge wasn’t sympathetic. He said Barry broke the order repeatedly stealing bacon, cheese, chocolate, and meat while under a suspended sentence.
The judge called Barry a “professional thief” and blamed his drug habit. He said Barry wasted years on drugs and prioritized getting high over the community, leading the judge to feel jail was the only option.