Sainsbury’s broken into in middle of night as thieves steal £103.75 of wine in ‘pathetic’ burglary attempt
Two men have been jailed for a “pretty pathetic” burglary attempt at a Sainsbury’s which saw them attack the shop’s tills with a crowbar – but leave with just over £100 of wine.
Alex Barrow, 38, from Bracknell, and Scott Webb, 45, from Chiswick, West London, broke into the supermarket on Bell Street in Henley in the early hours of February 13, a court heard.
The pair were then spotted on CCTV as they gained entry to the premises through a side door, causing £400 worth of damage in the process – almost quadruple the value of their stolen goods.
They then damaged the shop’s self-checkout tills with a crowbar, before making off with bottles of wine worth £103.75 in a silver Ford Focus.
Their vehicle was stopped by police while driving down the A404 after it had been flagged for being involved in drugs before the pair were arrested.
At Oxford Crown Court yesterday (April 10), Barrow’s defence, John Hunter, said the defendant had “no recollection” of the burglary.
He added that Barrow had been suffering from hallucinations after a mental breakdown three months prior.
Hunter noted that Barrow had not offended in the six months leading up to the burglary – and had stopped taking drugs and drinking before his breakdown in November.
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Barrow had also attempted suicide, for which he was sectioned, the court heard.
“He undoubtedly regrets his actions and is disappointed in himself,” Hunter added.
While Webb’s lawyer, John Greenan, said his client had been addicted to drugs and was a frequent user of crack cocaine and heroin.
Greenan said: “There are sometimes relapses when he has issues… While in custody, he’s done nearly 60 days clean from drugs and is attending narcotics anonymous.
“His attitude to the offence is of considerable remorse and he’s sorry for his behaviour.”
Both Barrow and Webb appeared at their trial via video-link from jail – and were subsequently handed eight-month prison sentences.
Sentencing, Judge Nigel Daly said: “Continue to use the facilities in prison, do your time, and when you come out, seek help if you need it and start afresh the best you can.”
Judge Daly said that due to the pair’s history of offending, there was no realistic prospect of their rehabilitation.