Community order for coffee and meat thief

Lee Turton (36), of Doncaster Road, East Dene, took jars of coffee worth £43 from Aldi, on Fitzwilliam Road, Rotherham, on February 13 and returned to the store three weeks later to take two joints of beef worth £10.

He admitted at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (10) to two charges of theft from a shop.

Mr David Marshall, prosecuting, said Turton had admitted both offences at the first opportunity.

He said Turton sold the jars of coffee on but had to return the beef to the store because he was caught.

The court heard Turton took heroin and cocaine every day and needed rehabilitation for drug misuse.

Mr Phil Jones, mitigating, said Turton had an unenviable record of dishonesty but had stayed out of trouble since being released from prison in June.

Mrs Marie Shipley-Beale, Chair of the Bench, gave Turton a 12-month community order.

As part of the order, he was given a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement and ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitation.

Turton was ordered to pay £43 compensation to Aldi and £40 costs.