James Lewis, 27 and of Peter Street, Macclesfield, appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, July 31. Lewis admitted theft from a shop in relation to an incident at Sainsbury’s in Charles Street in Chester on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Lewis was said to have 30 previous convictions from 77 offences, including previous theft matters. Upon reaching the shop, he had seen someone that he recognised and he had ‘agreed to take alcohol in exchange for money’. Lewis had gone into Sainsbury’s and left with the items without paying and was later arrested and charged.