Graham Hyland raided donation bins at Tesco five times between February and May this year
A man who was caught raiding a Salvation Army clothes bank outside the Tesco Superstore in Mossley Hill had 13 bags of donations stashed in his car – and hundreds more at home.
Graham Hyland, 62, attended the supermarket on Mather Avenue on five occasions between February and May this year, each time making off with bags of clothes from the Salvation Army donation bins.
The first theft occurred at the supermarket on February 8 2025, when Hyland parked his vehicle outside the charity bins, damaged the lock, and removed bags containing clothing which he put into his car.
He returned the following day, February 9, when he again drove off with a number of donation bags taken from the bins. Similar thefts were carried out on April 24 and May 10.
Hyland returned to the bins for a fifth time on Tuesday, May 20, when he again took donation bags from the bins. He was detained at the scene by police officers, who searched his car and found 13 bags of clothing inside.
A further 150 to 200 bags were found at Hyland’s home address on Cherry Lane, Walton. He appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court yesterday, May 22, where he pleaded guilty to five counts of theft.
Prosecutor Elizabeth Brown said Hyland had 10 previous convictions for 18 offences, “the most recent being for theft”, and was on a community order at the time of the Tesco supermarket incidents. She said the value of the stolen donations “must be at least £500”.
Jemma Galloway, defending Hyland, said: “The defendant has pleaded guilty at his earliest opportunity, thereby attracting maximum credit.
“It’s acknowledged that the defendant is not a man of good character and is already subject to a community order for similar offences… A suspended sentence order would be a way of addressing these offences.”
Hyland was sentenced to a total of 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £154 victim surcharge. He was also ordered to remain on his community order, and carry out alcohol treatment and mental health treatment programmes.
The magistrates said: “If you don’t get involved in this alcohol treatment requirement, and you are on a suspended sentence, there’s only one option for that – you go inside. It’s a tough requirement and I understand your position but it will be ultimately for your benefit.
“Although we have given you a suspended sentence, that community order is still in place, with the mental health treatment. You take advantage of probation and everything they throw at you, because if you engage with them you will come out a better man. Be open and honest with probation and they will help you.”
