A 22-year-old serial shoplifter, branded as a "lookalike" Ed Sheeran has found himself barred from every single Tesco in Derby for the next three years after stealing two cans of cider.
Bailey Esmonde, who has no fixed address, was slapped with a Criminal Behaviour Order following the theft from a Tesco Express on St Peter's Street back on March 30.
But his troubles didn't end there.
Just two days later, on April Fools' Day, police arrested him after discovering he was carrying cocaine.
He now faces charges for both the shop theft and possession of cocaine.
When Derbyshire Police shared Esmonde's custody photograph online, social media users couldn't help but notice his striking similarity to chart-topping singer Ed Sheeran.
The post gained traction online, attracting more than 2,500 comments from people who were far more interested in the resemblance than the actual crimes.
Bailey Esmonde has been banned from all Tesco following the theft
|DERBYSHIRE POLICE
Users quickly branded the homeless man a "Temu version of Ed Sheeran" – a reference to the budget online marketplace known for selling cheaper alternatives to popular products.
One commenter summed up the mood perfectly: "Anyone else just here for the Ed Sheeran comments."
Commenters found clever reworking lyrics from some of the singer's most popular songs.
"When your legs don't work cause you're barred from the store," quipped one person, while another added: "When the till don't work like it used to before."
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The thief drew comparisons to pop star Ed Sheeran
|GETTY
Others got inventive with nicknames for the lookalike thief.
"Is he Temu's version of Ed Sheeran??" asked one user, whilst another came up with the brilliant alternative: "This is clearly ED HeRan."
Esmonde admitted to both offences at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court on April 2
The court granted the Criminal Behaviour Order on May, 14 which will remain in force until May 13 2029.
Along with the ban, he received a 12-month conditional discharge and was ordered to compensate the shop for the stolen alcohol.
The cider theft was not Esmonde's first run-in with Tesco security.
Back in 2024, he was handed his first CBO after admitting to stealing a Monster energy drink, two sandwich packets, crisps and chicken bites from the Alvaston branch.
That original order only covered the Alvaston store, but following his latest offences, police successfully applied to extend the ban across all Derby Tesco locations.
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