A serial shoplifter who concealed meat products in his clothing at a Tesco store has received a lifetime ban from the supermarket chain across England and Wales.
Richard Calvert, aged 46 from Moorfields in Holway, was sentenced at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to two counts of shop theft.
The offences occurred at a Tesco branch in Holywell during August, where Mr Calvert was discovered with various meat joints hidden beneath his clothing and inside his trousers.
His criminal history includes 93 prior theft convictions, the court was informed.
The first incident occurred on August 13 when security cameras recorded Mr Calvert taking four beef joints valued between £80 and £90 before leaving without payment.
Staff recognised him from earlier encounters, during which he had allegedly caused harassment and created fears of potential violence.
Two days later, he returned to the same store.
A staff member confronted him after spotting a lamb joint protruding from beneath his shirt.
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A serial shoplifter who concealed meat products in his clothing at a Tesco store has received a lifetime ban
|"I'm going to pay for it," Mr Calvert claimed when challenged, but employees demanded he surrender all concealed items.
He subsequently removed multiple meat joints from various locations on his body, including from inside his trousers.
The stolen goods from this second incident were worth approximately £180.
Prosecutor Rhian Jackson explained that whilst the stolen items were retrieved, they were unsuitable for resale "given where they were recovered from on the defendant".
A staff member confronted him after spotting a lamb joint protruding from beneath his shirt
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The court heard about Mr Calvert's problematic history with probation services.
Katherine Grant from the Probation Service described him as lacking "pro-social peers" and exhibiting confrontational conduct with officers.
She said he was "not suitable for further engagement at the moment," highlighting his difficulty managing his emotions and ongoing substance abuse issues.
Defence solicitor Catherine Davies noted that support workers had accompanied Mr Calvert to court.
The court heard about Calvert's problematic history with probation services
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"They say he is engaging," she told the court, adding that efforts were underway to arrange detoxification treatment.
District Judge Gwyn Jones condemned the "blatant" nature of the crimes, suggesting Mr Calvert intended to sell the stolen goods on the black market to fund either basic necessities or substance purchases.
"These shops cannot afford to have continued thefts," the judge warned, noting potential consequences including store closures and job losses due to mounting retail crime.
Despite Mr Calvert's extensive criminal history, the judge acknowledged his cooperation with support services.
His criminal history includes 93 prior theft convictions, the court was informed
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He received two consecutive six-week sentences totalling 12 weeks, suspended for one year.
Additionally, he faces a five-year prohibition from entering any Tesco premises throughout England and Wales and must avoid contact with specific store employees.
Financial penalties include £270 compensation and £85 in court costs.