A MEAT thief who breached a restraining order against a woman has been jailed for 26 weeks. 

Gary McNeil, of Egerton Court, Barrow, pleaded guilty at furness Magistrates’ Court yesterday to breaching a restraining order on May 29.

 He also admitted stealing meat products from a Co-op store in Barrow to the value of £5.49 on May 16.

 The defendant, was subject to a suspended prison sentence when he committed the offences; and yesterday, magistrates at the Abbey Road court in Barrow activated the prison sentence.

 Ms Chrissie Hunt, prosecuting, said regarding the theft: “On May 26 the defendant entered the Co-op store and took products to the value of £5.49 which were not recovered, and he made off without payment.”

 In relation to the breach of restraining order on May 29, Ms Hunt said: “Police attended Anson Street following a request from an ambulance.

 “Police wanted to speak to Rose Potter. It was then that Mr McNeil was discovered at the property.” 

McNeil received a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months back on December 7 last year for breaching the same restraining order, which specified he was not to contact Rose-Marie Potter or enter Anson Street.

 Miss Karen Templeton, defending, said that McNeil had gone round as he was worried for Rose Potter’s safety, and that on previous occasions after being released from prison has struggled to adapt to normal life.

 She said: “He is someone who is quite vulnerable himself. In the past when he has come out he has not had a flat and has had a tent to live in.”

 McNeil was sentenced to 14 weeks of immediate custody and a further 12 weeks in prison after activating his suspended sentence. 

He was also ordered to pay £115 victim surcharge, £85 in costs and £5.49 in compensation to the Co-op.