Lewis Ilsley of Hallow, in court for burglary and theft

Lewis Ilsley, of Coppice Close, Hallow, admitted burglary and five offences of theft from a shop when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court. 

Despite previously telling Worcester News he would turn his life around, Eleanor Peart, prosecutor, went through his latest offences that took place in Worcester last year.

COURT: Lewis Ilsley leaving Worcester Magistrates Court (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)

The prosecutor said the most serious offence had been the burglary - which took place on November 6.

The 44-year-old entered Londis at Worcester Service Station in Henwick Road as a trespasser stealing packs of cigarettes, vapes and ice cream.

Magistrates heard: 

• Ilsley stole food and alcohol to the value of £89.48 belonging to Marks and Spencer.
• stole clothing, valued at £40, from a Cancer Research shop.
• stole a mobile phone holder, valued £7.99, from TX Maxx, all on November 3. 
• Between October 13 and October 20 he stole clothes, worth £60, from ASDA.

The prosecutor said Ilsley also went to Marks and Spencer, Kidderminster, on November 2 stealing alcohol valued at £60. 

Richard Weatherill, chairman of the bench, told Ilsley an aggravating feature of the case was the defendant's history of offending. 

Ilsley was jailed for 10 months but the chairman said the magistrates bench had decided his sentence could be suspended for 15 months. 

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The chairman said it would be of more benefit to the public and the defendant for him to continue rehabilitation work with the probation service.

Ilsley was ordered to pay £175 compensation to Londis for damage to a window. 

He was ordered to pay a total of £117.99 compensation to the shops.

RETURN: Lewis Ilsley had made a return to Worcester Magistrates Court

Ilsley was also told to pay £187 victim surcharge, and court costs of £185. 

The total, £664.99, was added to the more than £2,000 Ilsley owes from past offending being deducted from his benefits. 

TROUBLES: Lewis Ilsley laid out his troubled background. Photo: West Mercia Police (Image: West Mercia Police)

Ilsley made headlines in September 2019 after stealing a collection tin containing £300 which had been donated to help raise money for Oscar Saxelby-Lee, then aged five, to receive life-saving treatment.

Prolific offender Ilsley told paper he was 'focused on making a change' in 2020

Ilsley was caught on CCTV at Sophie’s Grill in Lowesmoor, Worcester, as he stole the money while staff were away from the till.

He later contacted Worcester News to publicly apologise for the pain caused.

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“I am no longer in denial, or feeling sorry for myself," he told us in August 2020.

"I am focusing on what I can change, making peace with the victims of my crimes, and trying to gain the respect back from my loved ones."