TWO men who stole thousands of pounds worth of alcohol from supermarkets across Oxfordshire did so due to ‘masculinity problems’.

Camron Blake, 21, and Cheyenne Webb, 29, went on a ‘campaign’ of shoplifting between February and August last year, stealing at least £12,407 worth of booze from Sainsbury’s stores and £1,574 worth of booze from Waitrose’s.

The pair had both been out of work at the time and had ‘masculinity problems’ in that they wanted to provide for their respective families financially, Oxford Crown Court heard.

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Using trollies filled with bags for life, the men would grab bottles of champagne, cognac, brandy and more and then walk out of the shop without paying.

The alcohol would then be quickly sold on.

Stores were targeted in Kidlington, Didcot, Wallingford, Witney, Wantage, Beaconsfield, Maidenhead, and Aylesbury.

There were about 20 incidents of theft, with the maximum amount of alcohol stolen in one trip being £2,500.

Both were handed a 14-month prison sentence at Oxford Crown Court on Wednesday (January 3).

Blake, of Blackthorn Road, Didcot had his suspended for two years, while Webb, of The Meer, Benson, was sent into immediate custody due to his previous offences.

Oxford Mail: Camron Blake leaving courtBlake was handed 150 hours of unpaid work, 12 days of rehabilitation activity and will need to pay £425 in court costs.

Sentencing, Judge Ian Pringle said: “You both seem to be obsessed with the idea that being a good father means putting money into the household.

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“Of course, that is an important thing but to do so through crime does not make you a good father or husband.

“I would be failing in my duty if I did not conclude that this campaign of shoplifting is one that only merits a prison sentence.”

He noted that the pair had sent him letters of remorse, which he accepted as genuine.

Defending the duo, barrister Alex Granville said they both have ‘decision-making issues’.

“Both of them talk about providing for the family,” said Mr Granville. “The masculinity issues that come with it but they’ve realised that this was not the main part of their relationships, it’s more about being for [their families].”

The court heard that Blake has no previous convictions and works part-time as a bathroom fitter for his stepdad but hopes to return to self-employed work. Mr Granville said: “He’s a young man and has levels of immaturity.”

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Webb has several previous convictions of a similar nature.

He was completing unpaid work for a conviction of handling stolen goods at the time he was involved in a car accident in 2021, leaving him unemployed due to serious injuries.

He hopes to return to construction and complete physiotherapy for his arm.

After sentencing, the two men hugged before Webb was taken to prison.