Men sentenced following theft offences in Cheshunt

Two men have appeared in court after being charged with shoplifting offences in Cheshunt.

Martin Bayford, aged 40, of Perrysfield Road, was arrested on Thursday (30 November) and subsequently charged with the following:

• Theft of £80 worth of meat from Co-Op, High Street, Cheshunt on Friday 24 November.
• Theft of £160 worth of meat from BP Garage, Cheshunt on Sunday 22 October.
• Theft of £30 worth of meat from BP Garage, Cheshunt on Tuesday 17 October.
• Theft of £70 worth of meat and groceries from BP Garage, Cheshunt on Monday 16 October.
• Theft of £90 worth of meat from BP Garage, Cheshunt on Wednesday 11 October.
• Theft of £40 worth of meat from BP Garage, Cheshunt on Friday 1 September.

He was also charged with possession of a class B drug.        

Bayford appeared at Hatfield Magistrates Court on Friday (1 December) where, having pleaded guilty to the offences, was sentenced to a total of six weeks in prison and ordered to pay £483 in compensation.

In a separate case, a second man, Gianfranco Dilello, aged 46, of Neath Hill, Milton Keynes, appeared at Hatfield Magistrates Court on Thursday (30 November) after being arrested on Tuesday (28 November) and charged with the following:

• Theft of three coats worth around £300 from Marks and Spencer, Brookfield Centre on Wednesday 25 January.
• Theft of four jackets worth more than £1,200 from Marks and Spencer, Brookfield Centre between Friday 13 January and Tuesday 24 January 2023.
• Theft of bedding worth £200 from Marks and Spencer, Brookfield Centre on Thursday 19 January.
• Theft of bottle of alcohol and food worth £80 from Marks and Spencer, Brookfield Centre on Tuesday 17 January.

Dilello pleaded guilty to the offences and was ordered to pay compensation of £1,809 and sentenced to two weeks in prison.

Broxbourne Safer Neighbourhood Team Sergeant Chris Fisher said: “We take shoplifting seriously and will continue to work closely with shops and business to challenge those suspected of stealing from shops in the borough.

“Shoplifting has a detrimental effect on our local businesses, and we are determined to do all we can to prevent offences from occurring.”