Man jailed after stealing Poppy Appeal Box in Chester

A 46-year-old man has been jailed after admitting taking a charity collection box from McDonalds in Chester.

William McArd of no fixed address pleaded guilty to the theft of a charity collection box belonging to the Royal British Legion at Chester Magistrates Court on 14 November and was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison. This was on top of an 8 week suspended sentence from a prior offence that has now been triggered.  He was also ordered to pay compensation totalling £154.

He stole the Poppy Appeal box from McDonalds, Foregate Street on 5 November.  McDonalds staff alerted police that he was back in the store on 12 November, and he was duly arrested and charged with the offence.

DS Helen Newman said:

“I am pleased that McArd has been immediately sent to prison as a result of this offence.  It is despicable to steal from any charity, but to steal a Poppy Appeal Box six days before Armistice Day shows a truly shocking disrespect for all those brave people who have served their country so selflessly.”