If the Government had its way, they would restart transportation for minor offences (I was going to put a sarcastic smiley here but thought better of it as this still could happen)

What is the point of such a short sentence. His offending behaviour has an identifiable cause and as such, assistance from the Probation Service would have been more appropriate

Interesting.. steal clothes or make up from Primark, TMaax or Boots and you have RLP set on you.. Steal to eat and Sainsbury's want you prosecuted !

There might however be some help to come out of this. At least for a while he will have 3 meals a day - almost certainly he will receive medical treatment without waiting and they might, just might arrange for a Social Worker for him who will help him receive the benefits he is entitled to.

What i don't understand, is why would you steal casserole steak if you were hungry, and 3 packs of it

If i was hungry enough to have to go out and steal food, it would be something that i could eat right away, with no need to cook, and wouldn't need other ingredients

Casserole steak is more of a high value item that could be sold to buy drugs

Also he missed a few appointments that might have sorted the problem a lot sooner, so he didn't really help himself

The article also points to a previous suspended sentence, that wouldn't have helped him stay out of prison

Sainsburys dont make the decisions to prosecute, the CPS does. they obviously make people available to give evidence and I dont blame them for that as they would not be privvy to information about the individual's circumstances.

It could also be said that many drug addicts steal food to eat because they have spent all of their money on their drugs. Not saying this is the case here as the story indicates other reasons for his situation.