Chard man sentenced for supermarket thefts
Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
A man from Chard has been sentenced after admitting to a series of thefts from a local supermarket.
Stuart Cuthbertson, 41, of Auckland Way, appeared before Somerset Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to stealing meat and alcohol from the Sainsbury’s store in Chard.
Magistrates handed Cuthbertson a community order, requiring him to take part in up to 20 rehabilitation activity days aimed at addressing his behaviour and supporting his reintegration into the community.
He was also ordered to pay a £50 fine, alongside £588.90 in compensation to cover the value of the stolen goods.
The court heard that the offences formed part of a pattern of behaviour that had caused concern among local businesses. The rehabilitation requirement, magistrates said, was aimed at tackling the “root causes” of his offending.
The sentence reflects the court’s approach to low-level but repeated thefts, balancing punishment with support to prevent reoffending.
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