A HOMELESS man had his sentence multiplied five times for stealing steaks from a Co-op for running away from police who had arrested him.

Aaron Gardner, 29, of no fixed address, was sentenced to five months in prison instead of one at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday.

The common-law offence of escaping from custody was so unusual, prosecution barrister Oliver Wellings said that he could offer the judge no sentencing guidelines.

He told the court how on Thursday, April 30, Gardner walked into a Co-op in Rose Hill just after 3pm, having arranged with friends to steal meat and share it around.

Staff at the shop spotted him acting suspiciously, Mr Wellings said, before he then put three steaks – worth £13.34 – into his trousers and attempted to leave.

Police were called and arrested Gardner. But as they led him to a car, he nudged an officer and escaped, Mr Wellings said.

More officers were deployed to search for him, plus the police helicopter, and he was found nearby just over an hour later.

Judge Ian Pringle said Gardner’s list of previous offences began in the Youth Court in Oxford.

In 2002 he was sentenced to five years for robbery and wounding, Judge Pringle said, and had other convictions for burglary, theft, possession of heroin and assault.

Defence barrister Julian Lynch said his client had recently been released from custody when he stole from the Co-op.

He said: “His intention was to live with his father with whom he has a strained relationship, but he was effectively thrown out. Becoming increasingly hungry and desperate he made arrangements with some friends to steal some meat at the Co-op then it be passed around.”

He admitted Gardner had aggravated the offence by trying to escape.

Judge Pringle sentenced Gardner to one month for the theft and four months for the escape. He also ordered him to pay a £900 criminal courts charge and an £80 victim’s surcharge.