A serial shoplifter will spend Easter behind bars after stealing over £190 worth of chocolate — including dozens of Easter eggs and bars — from Sainsbury’s stores in Deptford and nearby Creek Road last month.
Winston Wright, 43, of Tressillian Crescent, Lewisham, admitted to a spree of thefts targeting seasonal treats, just weeks before Easter.
On March 12, Wright stole two boxes of Easter chocolate bars worth more than £50 from the Sainsbury’s on Deptford High Street.
Only two days later, on March 14, he returned to another branch on Creek Road, stealing £70 worth of Easter eggs.
Wright struck again on March 19, returning to the Creek Road store to steal a further £75 in chocolate bars.
He was arrested and charged, and on March 25, pleaded guilty to all three thefts at Croydon Magistrates’ Court.
He also admitted to failing to provide a sample for a Class A drugs test, an offence under the Drug Intervention Programme designed to tackle substance-related crime.
Awaiting Sentencing
Wright was remanded in custody and was originally due to be sentenced on April 5, but the hearing was adjourned to allow for a pre-sentence report. He will now face sentencing on May 6.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed that Wright remains in custody over the Easter period.
The thefts come amid concerns from retailers over a rise in shoplifting of high-value seasonal products, including Easter confectionery.
Residents expressed frustration at repeated thefts in the area. One shopper outside the Deptford High Street Sainsbury’s said: “It’s sad to see people stealing Easter eggs—it’s meant to be a time for families, not crime.”
The court is expected to consider Wright’s previous convictions and any issues of substance misuse when deciding his sentence next month.
