Chichester man who smashed jar of truffle mayonnaise jailed

The 'prolific offender' had already been given a suspended sentence

Author: Ryan BurrowsPublished 13th Jan 2021

A man has been jailed after committing a string of offences in Chichester – including damaging a £2.50 jar of truffle mayonnaise.

Jonathan Turner was challenged by staff at the Marks and Spencer store in East Street on December 15th, after they suspected he was under the influence of alcohol.

After being asked to leave the store, he picked up the condiment from the chilling cabinet, raised his arm and purposely dropped the jar, causing it to smash.

He then slipped on the mayo, before hitting a male member of staff in the face and exiting the store.

Police found and arrested Turner a short distance away from the store.

The unemployed 36-year-old, of Duncan Road in Chichester, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and assault offences when he appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court on December 17th.

He was ordered to pay £2.50 compensation to Marks and Spencer, and £75 compensation to the member of staff he assaulted.

While at court, another outstanding case was dealt with, relating to a burglary at the One Stop store in St Paul’s Road in Chichester, on 14 August, in which a quantity of alcohol and scratch cards were stolen.

Again, Turner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to 12 weeks’ imprisonment for these offences.

However, he was already serving a 12 week suspended sentence for another burglary and obstructing police in Chichester on February 25th.

This was activated, meaning he was sentenced to a total of 24 weeks’ imprisonment.

Acting Prevention Sergeant Amy McAlees of Sussex Police said:

“Turner has a significant history of criminal activity including theft, burglary, violence, antisocial behaviour and more.

"It was important we pursued these two cases – working closely with Chichester Neighbourhood Policing Team, Chichester Neighbourhood Response Team and Chichester Criminal Investigations Department – which were committed while he was subject to a suspended sentence, meaning he will now spend several weeks behind bars.

“This conviction demonstrates that these types of offences will not be tolerated, and we will do all we can to protect the businesses in our community, and seek justice against those who continue to commit crime in our county.”

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