A man who walked into the Co-op store in Rickmansworth and stole £671 worth of meat was always going to struggle to make off undetected.
And so it proved for Martin Horwood and a friend who planned to steal the meat and sell it on to raise money for drugs
Horwood, 45, of Gonville Avenue, Croxley Green appeared at St Albans Crown Court to be sentenced for theft. He was also in breach of a conditional discharge.
Prosecutor Michael Shilliday told how on October 26 last year at around 1 20pm Horwood and the other man went into the store, selected the meat and after putting it into a bag, left.
Horwood was arrested the next day and when asked by police officers where the meat was, replied “Its long gone”
The court heard at the time of the offence Horwood had been in the grip of drug addiction and had stolen the meat knowing it would be easily sold on to raise funds for drugs.
Judge Andrew Bright QC hearing the case was told the other man with Horwood that day had been given a four week jail sentence suspended for six months.
Samantha Wright defending said since December of last year Horwood had made good progress in trying to tackle his problems with Class A drugs and was now “clean.”
She said he had obtained work as a driver’s mate and wanted to rebuild his life with his partner.
After hearing that at the time of the offence Horwood was in breach of a conditional discharge, Judge Bright sentenced him to eight weeks suspended for 12 months.
Horwood was ordered to pay compensation to Co-op of £335 and prosecution costs of £150.
He was also told he would have to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work
Finally the judge said Horwood would be subject to a 25 day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.
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