Shirebrook addict caught leaving supermarket with more than £400 worth of shopping without paying

Brad-Lee Barber was stopped by security staff outside the Tesco store in Jubilee Way, Mansfield, on February 17 this year with various items valued at £461, Nottingham Magistrates’ Court was told on Friday, October 9.

Barber, 24, of Park Road, Shirebrook, had previous convictions for shop theft and had spent a period behind bars after a suspended prison sentence was revoked after he was caught shoplifting, the court heard.

Prosecuting, Neil Hollett told the court: “He was seen leaving the store without making any attempt to pay but he was stopped by security. It was quite a high value and at the time he was a drug user, using heroin and cocaine.”

Barber admitted shop theft when he appeared before the court.

Mitigating, Abby Edwards said that since his release from prison, Barber had got clean and he was now living with his aunt in Shirebrook.

“This offence dates back to when he was addicted to heroin, but he’s now clean from drugs and has moved away from Mansfield, away from his friends and temptation and he’s doing very well.

“When he was 10 years old his parents separated. After his release from prison his aunty became very involved with him.”

Barber was given a four-week prison sentence, suspended for six months, and was ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £122 victim surcharge.

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