Matlock thieves raided Chesterfield B&M store twice in two days

Two thieves stole DVDs to sell on for food and drinks after they struck twice in two days at Chesterfield’s B&M Bargains store.
Pictured is B&M Bargains at the Ravenside Retail Park, on Markham Road, in Chesterfield.Pictured is B&M Bargains at the Ravenside Retail Park, on Markham Road, in Chesterfield.
Pictured is B&M Bargains at the Ravenside Retail Park, on Markham Road, in Chesterfield.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Tuesday, December 1, how Ashton Spencer, 20, of Hurst Rise, Matlock, and Ricky Dunne, 19, of Overdale, Matlock, committed the offences at the store at Ravenside Retail Park.

Prosecuting solicitor Becky Allsop said: “CCTV showed both of them selecting DVDs from a shelf and putting them in bags and leave without making a payment.

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“It’s not clear how many DVDs were stolen or the value of the stolen goods.”

Following the second offence they returned to the store again, according to Mrs Allsop, and they were stopped by staff and police were called.

The defendants told police they stole the DVDs to sell them on to buy food because they were hungry.

Dunne and Spencer both pleaded guilty to the two thefts which were committed on October 6 and 7.

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Spencer also admitted the offences while he is still subject to a suspended sentence for an assault.

And Dunne also admitted a previous theft of food and drink from an Esso service station at Matlock Green and he is also still subject to a community order for previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Julie Page said Dunne had separated from his partner in October and became homeless and his difficulties have spiralled into depression.

She added that he has had problems with benefit sanctions so he resorted to stealing the DVDs.

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Defence solicitor Annis Rowlands said Spencer has also suffered with anxiety and depression but he is being supported by family and is involving himself in voluntary work.

Magistrates sentenced Dunne to a 12 week custodial sentence suspended for 12 months and his existing community order will continue.

He was also ordered to pay £6.46 compensation for the Esso station theft and a £150 courts charge.

Magistrates sentenced Spencer to a 12 month community order and his ongoing suspended sentence for an assault will continue.

His community order will include a rehabilitation requirement and a thinking skills programme and 60 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £295 in costs and charges.