A 47-year-old Cheltenham man who stole three sirloin steaks from the town's Range store and then fought with a member of staff and an off-duty police officer has been sentenced to an 18-month community order.

On July 13, 2021, Desmond Thompson, of no fixed abode, was seen acting suspiciously in the store by Jack Whitting, a loss prevention officer, Gloucester Crown Court was told on Thursday (March 31).

Prosecutor David Maunder said: "Thompson was followed to the 'Iceland' section of the store and was seen placing three steaks into a bag."

"The store's officer went to position himself outside the building and when Thompson walked out with making any attempt to pay for the items he was challenged. He then tried to push past the officer.

"As he did so the officer put his arm out, which Thompson grabbed. In the ensuing scuffle the pair fell to the floor. The officer hit his head on the barrier on the way down, but still managed to tussle with Thompson for about a minute.

"Amy Greenway, an off-duty police officer who was shopping at the store, went to assist and at first, she thought one of the men was having a fit. Thompson had positioned himself on top of Mr Whitting, who shouted out that he believed the man had stolen something.

"Ms Greenway grabbed Thompson's arm while he stood up and made him put his arms behind his back. Thompson refused to do so but was escorted to the back of the store. As he struggled, he caused Ms Greenway to lose her balance and she pulled him to the floor as she fell.

"Thompson was then restrained on the floor and was told that the police were on their way. It was at this point Ms Greenway revealed she was an off-duty police officer. Thompson told her that he would smash her face in if he saw her about in uniform."

The court was told that Thompson was arrested by police and in his interview, he said he had not left the store with the steaks. But later, after seeing the CCTV footage, he accepted that he had left the shop at the point when he was challenged by the store's officer.

Steve Young, defending said: "Thompson has a drug problem, but since his arrest in July last year, there has been no further offending. I therefore feel that a community-based sentence would be appropriate.

"I have represented Thompson for many years and he is currently in a lot more stable position in his life than I have seen for a long time. He has been co-operating with 'Change Grow Live', who help people with drug addictions. He is also in a new stable relationship.

"These offences were committed while Thompson had no accommodation and he was not receiving any benefits or accessing any professional support."

Thompson, now of Princess Elizabeth Way, Cheltenham, admitted the theft of three sirloin steaks, valued at £23 from the Range outlet in Cheltenham and two charges of assault by beating on July 13, 2021.

The judge, Recorder Neil Millard said to Thompson: "I am sentencing you to an 18-month community order. You must be aware you are in the last chance saloon. You need to undertake any drug testing as directed by the relevant bodies.

Thompson responds from the dock: "I am very sorry for my actions and I apologise to all."

The community order includes a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

The judge ordered that Thompson pay £100 compensation each to his victims.