A man who was arrested on suspicion of drug dealing took part in a £3,000 heist at a Marks and Spencer food hall after being released under investigation.
Terrance Stewart, 32, was arrested at his home on Fleetwood's Lane, Netherton, on May 26 2022 after officers on a misuse of drugs warrant found large quantities of cannabis and cash. Some 33 £10 street deals with a value of £330, five one-ounce deals at values of more than £1,300 and £2,000, and one small bag worth between £260 and £240 were seized.
Stewart initially told police he had purchased the cannabis for his own personal use, and that he was not involved in drug dealing, however numerous text messages relating to the buying and selling of drugs were found on his mobile phone.
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On the night of January 25 2023, while under investigation for possession with intent to supply, he was caught red-handed trying to burgle the M&S Simply Food shop on Hazel Grove, Stockport.
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He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, March 30, after pleading guilty to both possession with intent to supply class B, and burglary.
Mr Tayor, prosecuting, said: "A neighbour close to the Marks and Spencer store in Hazel Grove was disturbed because he saw a van in his area which drove onto his driveway and off towards the car park. That spirited member of the public went round to the Marks and Spencer store and saw this defendant and two others moving items around in the service yard."
Police were called, and Stewart and his accomplices, Jordan Palmer and Kerry Russell, were caught as they attempted to load £3,000 worth of food crates into the back of their van.
Mr Taylor said: "The yard was gated and usually locked with a padlock, however due to the weather they had kept it open for the gritting company to have access... the group had taken advantage of that."
Mr Rawson, defending, said Stewart, a dad of two, had fallen heavily into drug use following a bereavement in 2020, and that he had expressed "remorse and regret" for his actions. He said: "(He's) clearly a man who, realising the ill effects of the use of cannabis, has set himself the goal of ridding himself of its use."
Judge David Potter accepted that Stewart regretted his behaviour - but added that an immediate prison sentence was the only adequate punishment for his crimes.
He sentenced him to eight months in prison for possession with intent to supply class B, and four months for burglary, with both terms to run concurrently.
Stewart's partners in crime in the burglary were sentenced at a previous hearing, with Palmer receiving a four month prison sentence and Russell receiving a 12 month community order.
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