Fair cop at Co-op as grinning thief is locked up
THIS is the smiling face of Aaron Brennan, who is now starting a jail sentence for breaching a court order and a burglary at a Co-op.
Brennan, 27, has been banned by the courts from Co-op shops in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
He breached the order when he went into the Co-op in College Street, Long Eaton, on Sunday, June 15.
Nottingham Crown Court heard he pushed past one worker, saying to him “get out of my way” and forced open doors separating a staff area from the store.
The convicted Co-op shoplifter then went behind the serving counter and said: “Don’t call the police. I’m not doing anything wrong. I’m not hurting anyone. I’m not threatening anyone.”
He filled two carrier bags with cigarettes and tobacco and alcohol, together worth £1,200.
Two workers said they felt scared and intimidated, the court heard. Both of them had had previous dealings with Brennan. After his arrest on June 24, he was abusive to police in his interview.
Martin Elwick, for Brennan, said his client did not realise the criminal behaviour order had been extended.
“His case is he did not realise he was in breach of that order,” he said.
The court heard that the order was made in April 2016 for three years and was then extended until April 2022, with Brennan, of no fixed address, being served a notice of that at a police station.
Judge Sally Hancox imposed 16 months in prison for the burglary and five months consecutively for breaching the order.
“You pleaded guilty to these matters straight away,” she told Brennan.