ELY: Homeless Man Stole Chocolate From Ely Store

Published: 9:58 AM May 1, 2009

Updated: 11:24 AM November 1, 2020

HARD up and hungry, homeless drug user Gavin Townend was caught on CCTV as he stole two bars of chocolate from an Ely store. A member of staff at Wilkinsons had spotted Townend as he helped himself to the chocolate and hid it under his top before walking

HARD up and hungry, homeless drug user Gavin Townend was caught on CCTV as he stole two bars of chocolate from an Ely store.

A member of staff at Wilkinsons had spotted Townend as he helped himself to the chocolate and hid it under his top before walking out.

A police community support officer then identified Townend from CCTV footage, and two days later he was arrested.

"He was finding it difficult to make ends meet," said solicitor Nicholas Barnes. "He took the chocolate because he was not able to feed himself

"He has a prescription and is being helped by the community drugs intervention programme."

Homeless Townend, 31, admitted stealing �4 worth of chocolate on April 15. He was given a 12-month supervision order, during which the probation service will address his drug and accommodation problems. He was ordered to pay �4 compensation and �30 costs.