A County Durham man has been jailed for stealing steaks, chicken, cheese, and Lurpak butter from two supermarket chains.

Anthony Fletcher, 36, of Glen Barr, Chester le Street, was sentenced to a total of six weeks in prison at Peterlee Magistrates' Court on Monday, November 11, 2024, after admitting to a series of thefts from local supermarkets.

Fletcher pleaded guilty to three counts of theft spanning several months.

The court noted Fletcher’s repeated disregard for court orders, citing his record as a contributing factor to the custodial sentence.

The first offence occurred on March 16, 2024, when Fletcher stole 12 ribeye steaks valued at £64.20 from Tesco.

The court heard that he entered the store and took the items without attempting to pay.

Given Fletcher’s history and the nature of the crime, he was sentenced to two weeks in prison for this offence.

Just months later, on June 9, 2024, Fletcher was involved in a second theft, this time at Sainsbury’s.

On this occasion, he made off with five packs of Lurpak butter and five packs of chicken breasts, totalling £70.

The court imposed a consecutive two-week prison sentence, as well as an order to pay £70 in compensation to Sainsbury’s, emphasising his flagrant disregard for previous court orders and the repetitive nature of his offences.

In the final incident, on August 24, 2024, Fletcher returned to Tesco, where he stole various items, including cheese, sausages, and steak cuts, valued at £56.74.

For this third offence, Fletcher received an additional two-week sentence to be served concurrently with his previous sentences. He was also ordered to pay £120.94 in compensation for the goods taken.

Recommended reading: 

Get more content including the stories that matter to your community from The Northern Echo for just £2 for 2 months for a limited time only here.

In sentencing, the court acknowledged Fletcher’s guilty pleas, which contributed to a reduction in his overall sentence.

Magistrates noted that the severity of the thefts, combined with Fletcher’s repeat offending, left them with no option but to impose a custodial sentence.

Due to the financial impact on the businesses, compensation was prioritised, and no additional costs were ordered by the court.