Thief high on cocaine stole honey worth £200 from Queen’s pharmacy

Escape attempt: Francis O’Connor tried to flee with the stolen honey
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A thief who stole more than £200 of high-grade honey from the royal family’s pharmacy has been spared jail.

Francis O’Connor, 34, slipped four jars of Manuka honey into his jacket at John Bell & Croyden in Marylebone.

O’Connor, from Victoria, was spotted by the Wigmore Street store’s security team as he squatted in the vitamins aisle on Wednesday. He ran out the door but was captured.

Prosecutor Edward Aydin told Westminster magistrates’ court O’Connor, of Victoria, struggled to keep hold of the stolen Australian honey as he tried to flee. “He ran out holding the honey in his jacket,” said Mr Aydin. “Some of the products fell out and he asked the security guard to stop chasing him so he could take them back.”

O’Connor, who was high on cocaine and opiates at the time, yesterday admitted theft and was ordered to pay a £100 fine plus £110 in costs and fees.

District judge Nina Tempia told O’Connor: “You have got to do something about your alcohol, opiate and cocaine problem.”

The renowned health and beauty emporium opened in 1798, was first granted the royal warrant in 1909 and has served as a pharmacy for the Queen for nearly 60 years.

It was relaunched last year with an international product range and a royal receipt book containing orders from the monarchy dating back to 1903.

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