An Oxford man has been handed a suspended prison after stealing more than £2,500 worth of chocolate. 

Ian Greenwood, of Court Farm Road, was charged with 18 counts of thefts from shops in Oxford and one count of assault by beating, a court heard. 

The value of the items Greenwood, 37, stole were worth a total of £2,619.03. 

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He pleaded guilty to all counts at Oxford Magistrates' Court on November 15. 

The charges were as follows. 

  • On October 17, he stole chocolate to a value unknown belonging to The Co-Op.
  • On October 20, he stole chocolate to a value of £159.30 belonging to Sainsburys.
  • On October 11, he stole chocolate to a value of £52.50 belonging to The Co-Op.
  • On October 16, he stole alcohol to a value of £151 belonging to The Co-Op.
  • On October 14 he stole chocolate to a value of £154.80 belonging to The Co-Op.
  • On October 18, he stole chocolate to a value of £210.50 belonging to Sainsbury's.
  • On October 23, he stole chocolate to a value of £145.70 belonging to The Co-Op. 
  • On November 4, he stole chocolate to a value of £156.93 belonging to The Co-Op.
  • On September 27, he stole chocolate to a value of £260.75 belonging to Sainsbury's.
  • On October 11, he stole chocolate to a value of £143.50 belonging to The Co-Op.
  • On October 20, he stole chocolate to a value of £136.50 belonging to The Co-Op.
  • On September 14, he stole washing tablets to a value of £148.85 belonging to The Co-Op.
  • On October 5, he stole chocolate to a value of £126.50 belonging to The Co-Op.
  • On October 8, he stole chocolate to a value of £144.50 belonging to The Co-Op.
  • On October 19, he stole chocolate to a value of £146.50 belonging to The Co-Op.
  • On October 18, he stole shower gels and shampoo to a value of £79.55 belonging to Asda. 
  • On October 20, he stole chocolate to a value of £136.50 belonging to The Co-Op.
  • On October 24, he stole chocolate to a value of £265.15 belonging to The Co-Op.
  • On October 17, he committed one count of assault by beating against a woman in Oxford. 

Greenwood was jailed for 26 weeks, suspended for 24 months. 

He must also undergo drug rehabilitation for 12 months and must not enter any Sainsbury, Co-Op or Asda stores in Oxfordshire for 24 months. 

He also has to comply with the orders of the responsible officer to attend appointments for a maximum of 40 days and pay compensation of £500.