Would-be Sainsbury’s thief tried to hide beer under shirt

But Adam Bloor, 40, who claimed he had acted in excessive self-defence, was spared a prison sentence at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Friday (September 1) after the justices heard he had turned his life around.

He had gone from begging on the streets to living with his partner and their toddler, defence advocate Phil Kouvaritakis said. “He really seems to have turned his life well and truly around.”

Prosecuting, Jay Singh said Bloor went into the Sainsbury’s store in Oxford’s Magdalen Street in June and selected a crate of beer. He hid it not particularly successfully beneath his t-shirt.

As he left the store he was confronted by a member of staff. “Mr Bloor did not reply, but instead punched [the victim] to the face,” Ms Singh said.

The shop worker ended up on the ground, with the defendant over him.

Bloor, of Friars Wharf, Oxford, was easily identified from CCTV. He pleaded guilty at a hearing in August to a single charge of assault by beating. He had almost 100 offences on his list of previous convictions, the court heard.

The magistrates imposed a 12 month community order with a 60 day alcohol abstinence tag and a requirement that he complete the thinking skills probation programme.

He was ordered to pay £254 in costs, compensation and surcharge.

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