Marco Pierre White Jr, 27, is JAILED for over 18 months after shoplifting spree
The son of celebrity chef Marco Pierre White has been jailed over 18 months after carrying out a spree of shop thefts and racially abusing a Tesco security guard, as well as a previously suspended offence.
Bristol Crown Court heard Marco Pierre White Junior, 27, had a privileged start in life and a good upbringing with his family.
But the court heard the former Big Brother contestant has been struggling with heroin addiction since the age of 18.
After breaching the terms of no fewer than three suspended sentences, he has finally been put behind bars. Pierre White Jr pleaded guilty to 14 offences of shoplifting; possessing a knife; possessing heroin; and a racially aggravated public order offence.
The offences spanned January last year to April this year and happened in Bath. Pierre White Jr, from Corsham, Wiltshire, was jailed for 11 months, with 32 weeks of a previously suspended jail term to run consecutively.
Marco Pierre White junior, 27, pictured outside Bristol Crown Court last month. Today, he appeared at the same court where he was sentenced to over 18 months in prison
Judge Mark Horton said ‘It is addiction that causes intelligent people, from good backgrounds, who had every prospect, to cheat, lie and steal on a regular basis with a complete incapacity to stop doing so.’
Ieuan Callaghan, prosecuting, said Pierre White Jr was with an unknown female when he stole £2,496 worth of clothes from Wadswick Country Store. Police found him in Bath, counting money in a car, minus the clothes.
The court heard Pierre White Jr racially abused a security guard at Tesco Express in Bath, which he entered when he was banned from the premises. The victim was left hurt and anxious. Pierre White Jr went on to steal spirits from Waitrose in Bath as well as a credit card holder from the city’s Mulberry store.
He also stole dishwasher tablets, toiletries and spirits from the Co-op on Bradford Road, Ray Ban sunglasses from Jollies in Milsom Street, alcohol and food from a Co-op and booze from Star News.
Catherine Flint, mitigating, said her client had had a miserable time on remand.
At Bristol Crown Court (pictured), Pierre White Junior was jailed for 11 months, with 32 weeks of a previously suspended jail term to run consecutively
Miss Flint said: ‘His dad is well-known and known to be wealthy. He [Pierre White Jr] has suffered bullying, intimidation, extortion, threats of violence and actual violence.
‘He is finding it incredibly difficult in prison. He is terrified at the thought of ever having to go back.’
Miss Flint said her client had been addicted to heroin after suffering a car accident aged 18. She said he has detoxed in jail, despite drugs being offered to him. Pierre White Jr is ashamed of is behaviour and ‘deeply ashamed’ of racist language he used on the shop security guard, the court heard.
He has the offer of a chef’s position with his father’s business on release. Miss Flint said: ‘He would very much like an opportunity from this court for another chance to try and get his life back on track.’
