Serial thief ‘with passion for Greggs’ busted stealing sandwiches multiple times

A serial thief was caught by police covered in sandwich wrappers and with mayonnaise around his mouth after stealing treats from Greggs on six occasions (Picture: SWNS)

A serial Greggs thief was caught in the act with mayo around his face after stealing sandwiches.

Darren Humphreys, 59, had stolen his favourite snacks including sausage rolls and baguettes on six occasions from the North East bakery chain.

He was once arrested by police, who noticed orange mayonnaise on his lips from a Mexican chicken sandwich he had raided from the group’s store in Workington, Cumbria.

On one occasion, Humphreys pushed shift manager Karen Bowness when she confronted him stealing two baguettes at 6.30am on April 24.

The rolls tumbled to the floor during the tussle, a court heard.

Humphreys was reported stealing sandwiches again just four days later on April 28, when he was arrested by police.

He returned to the same store to steal baguettes on three further occasions, on May 3, 7 and 8.

On June 1, he was caught grabbing four sausage rolls costing £3.90 each.

PC Katie Twentyman told magistrates she had known Humphreys for up to 18 months as a thief and had on one occasion caught him on a bench surrounded by Greggs sandwich wrappers.

After seeing her, Humphreys dropped a baguette on the floor and even let half of the sandwich he was eating fall out of his mouth.

Darren Humphreys was caught grabbing baguettes and sausage rolls on multiple occasions from the bakery’s store in Workington, Cumbria (Picture: SWNS)

He claimed that someone else had given him the rolls before he was arrested.

Humphreys had no legal representation and declined to give any evidence.

But he told the court: ‘I have nothing to say.

‘I’m quite happy with the court proceedings.

‘I’m fully aware that I have taken nothing from Greggs.’

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said that Humphreys had ‘quite the passion’ for the chain.

The chain has applied for Criminal Behaviour Order barring Humphreys from its stores in Cumbria, as well as £650 in costs and £57 in compensation for the stolen goods.

Humphreys will be sentenced on October 8, until which he is banned from entering any Greggs shops in Cumbria.

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