Court

Serial Barry shoplifter is jailed

By MARCUS STEAD

A 24-YEAR-OLD man from Cadoxton with a series of previous convictions for shoplifting has been jailed for nine weeks after he admitted stealing items from supermarkets in Barry last November.

Joshua Smith. Photo: SWP.
| Joshua Smith. Photo: SWP.

Joshua Smith appeared before Cardiff Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to three offences of shoplifting and one of attempted theft.

The court heard that on 13th November last year, Smith entered the Iceland supermarket on Holton Road where he stole Carlsberg lager worth £32.51, and he returned to the same store five days later where he took Starbucks coffee pods costing £20.50.

Smith went back to the supermarket on 21st November where he attempted to steal chocolate worth £32.50. On 17th November, Smith stole Lindt chocolate valued at £69 from the Tesco Express on Holton Road.

Smith was also ordered to pay £85 in costs along with compensation of £69 to Tesco and £20.50 to Iceland.

Iceland and Tesco stores on Holton Road were targetted by Joshua Smith. Photos: Google.
| Iceland and Tesco stores on Holton Road were targetted by Joshua Smith. Photos: Google.

Smith has a long history of similar offending. In August 2019, Smith was sent to a Young Offender Institution for 24 weeks after he pleaded guilty to having a knife in public, possession of cocaine and of breaching a suspended sentence.

In July 2021, Cardiff Crown Court heard how Smith went on a crime spree in Barry which saw him rob a 14-year-old boy of his iPhone and threaten to stab a supermarket worker.

For those offences, Smith was handed a 16-month sentence at a Young Offender Institution, suspended for two years, after the judge said there was a prospect of rehabilitation, but he was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, complete a 19-day thinking skills programme and a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

In July 2025, magistrates handed Smith an 18-week custodial sentence after he stole alcohol, food and clothing from shops in Barry.

After being released on licence, three months later he was given a further four-week prison sentence after he stole two bottles of vodka from the Morrisons supermarket in Barry.

By Marcus Stead – News Reporter

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Marcus Stead

Multi-media reporter/journalist with a passion for local news. Contact Marcus via:

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