A delivery driver who stole a massive shipment of cereal and then claimed he had donated it to a foodbank has avoided jail.
Clifford Wyatt, 43, had been working for Bramhall Transport in Warrington for just six days when he entered the company’s grounds and made off with a tractor.
He drove to the nearby MAXI Haulage depot where he loaded up a large trailer containing £28,163 worth of Wheat Bisk cereal, on Sunday, October 8 last year.
He then drove nearly 30 miles to Meadow Self Storage in Failsworth, Manchester, where an associate was waiting to help him unload his haul.
He stole a total 792 containers each containing 22 boxes of Wheat Bisk – a Harvest Morn product commonly found on Aldi shelves priced at £2.05 per box.
After unloading the pallets, he returned the trailer and tractor to Warrington, where the missing shipment was quickly discovered.
Clifford Wyatt stole a massive shipment of cereal during his first week working as a delivery driver but has managed to dodge jail. Pictured: Clifford Wyatt, of Lund Avenue, Radcliffe, outside Liverpool court
Wyatt stole a total 792 containers each containing 22 boxes of Wheat Bisk, a Harvest Morn product commonly found on Aldi shelves
When Wyatt’s bosses pressed him for an explanation after catching him on CCTV he claimed he had donated the batch to a foodbank.
Prosecutor Joanne Daniels said at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday: ‘Bramhall Transport manager Thomas Jones, having checked the CCTV, rang Wyatt for an explanation.
‘The defendant admitted taking the tractor… He claimed he had taken it to a foodbank in Oldham as it was damaged stock, and claimed the yard manager had given him permission to go.’
However, the yard manager said no such interaction had occurred.
Ms Daniels said: ‘Enquiries were made to Oldham foodbank and it was found the foodbank is actually closed on Sundays, and they only accept small donations.
‘They could not accept large donations from HGVs, and didn’t receive any Wheat Bisks on October 8.’
Nevertheless, the court heard Wyatt had attended the foodbank on October 9 and attempted to obtain a receipt saying he had donated the boxes of cereal.
On October 18, the manager of Bramhall Transport attended Meadow Self Storage and retrieved the majority of the Wheat Bisks, which had been stored in six lockers.
Wyatt, who has three past convictions for four offences including theft, pleaded guilty to taking a vehicle without consent, and theft.
Olivia Beesley, defending, said: ‘While he does have previous convictions they are limited. He has not offended in 20 years prior to this.
‘There’s a realistic rehabilitation prospect and he has shown he can, and has, lived a law abiding life.
Wyatt drove nearly 30 miles to Meadow Self Storage in Failsworth, Manchester, where an associate was waiting to help him unload his haul
‘The defendant did lose his job due to this offending and it was a great loss to him. However he didn’t sit by and remain unemployed, but he secured stable employment again as a HGV driver.
‘His family are dependent on him financially. There are three children aged eight, 12, and 10.
‘His partner is a full time carer for their 10-year-old so she doesn’t work. The family are completely reliant on him to survive.
‘He also supports the family in an emotional way.’
Sentencing, judge David Potter said: ‘There was significant planning in the time you chose to commit the theft, preparing the storage containers ready to receive the stolen goods, and attempt to hide your criminal activities.
‘It’s aggravated by your attempt to place blame on others.
‘You have come perilously close to going to custody today. What has saved you is the fact that your family is reliant on you and your income.
‘But it’s a fact you should reflect upon that you had no thought for your family when you chose to act as selfishly as you did in stealing a shipment from your employers.’
He sentenced Wyatt, of Lund Avenue, Radcliffe, to two years in prison, suspended for 18 months.
He ordered him to carry out 20 rehabilitation days, 100 hours of unpaid work, and to pay £400 in court costs.