Thief stole cheese to pay off debt

A man who was in debt went on a cheese stealing spree to pay back the cash he owed, a court heard.

Instead of making repayments in cash, John Quinn, from Tipton, stole from the West Bromwich Co-op three times.

He filled bags with up to £100 worth of the food at a time and then took the cheese to his creditor, who agreed to take £30 off his outstanding debt each time he was given a bag of cheese. Quinn, aged 31, of Swancroft Road, yesterday pleaded guilty to three counts of theft.

Miss Val Hart, prosecuting, said Quinn took cheese worth about £100 from the shop on June 9.

He returned to the shop on June 20 and took an unknown volume of cheese, before returning the following day and taking another £50 worth and putting it in a bulging sports bag.

Miss Hart said: "On June 21, the store manager was aware of the previous thefts and checked the CCTV."

Quinn was seen taking the cheese and was apprehended by police near the shop after they were given a description. They found cheese worth around £50 in his possession.

Miss Hart said Quinn told officers he owed money to a man who reduced the balance when he was given the cheese.

She said: "He promised to take £30 off his debt when he gave him the cheese."

Mr Harmail Gill, defending, said Quinn and his partner had separated, meaning that he saw less of his child.

He said: "He was not having regular contact with his child, and the offence was committed during a difficult time for him. He accepts he committed the offences, and to be fair to him, when he spoke to the police he was full and frank with them."

Mr Gill said Quinn's personal circumstances had improved since the thefts. He said: "He has shown a bit of stability in his life.

"He can be trusted. Everyone goes through difficult times."

Quinn was given a 12-month community order and ordered to pay £150 compensation and £85 costs at Sandwell Magistrates Court.