District judge says custody was only option due to persistent offending

A PROLIFIC north Pembrokeshire shoplifter has been jailed after stealing almost £300 worth of goods from a B&M store in Cardigan.

Andrew O’Connell, 38, was seen entering the store on Sunday (Jan 5) before leaving carrying two large carrier bags.

“Both bags were full of items, including groceries and electrical goods,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

O’Connell walked along Aberystwyth Road before being arrested by police at the bus stop adjacent to the Tesco store.

O’Connell pleaded guilty to the B&M theft and to stealing a van containing two dogs from John Street car park in Carmarthen in June 2024.

“The van was owned by Richard Bramley, who was a stallholder at the street market adjacent to Marks and Spencer in Carmarthen,” Ms James said.

“He had left his two dogs inside the van, along with stock for his plant stall, and the vehicle was unlocked. When he returned a short time later, the van had gone.

“He was emotionally distressed and particularly concerned about the whereabouts of the dogs.”

Street CCTV footage traced the vehicle, which was later recovered by police. The court was told that nothing had been stolen from the van and both dogs were returned to their owner unharmed.

O’Connell was represented by solicitor Alan Lewis.

“Money was tight after Christmas, so he went to B&M and took the items,” Mr Lewis said. “All of the goods were later recovered.”

Mr Lewis told the court that O’Connell’s offending began around three years ago following the death of his mother.

“This affected him deeply,” he said. “Around the same time, he separated from his partner, and that is when drug and alcohol misuse began, which he is now trying to address.

“Prior to this, he was supervising adults at a care farm, so this represents a significant fall from grace. It is very sad.”

However, probation officer Julie Norman said repeated attempts to support O’Connell had been ignored.

Sentencing him to eight weeks in custody, District Judge Layton said O’Connell’s record left the court with no alternative.

“Your pattern of offending shows you are constantly going into shops and stealing,” he said. “There is no slowdown in your behaviour, so the only option is custody.”

O’Connell was also ordered to pay a £154 surcharge and £85 in costs.