A MAN who went on a champagne-stealing tour of south Essex will be sentenced next month after being spotted adding to his luxury haul.

Scott Allaker, 50, of Beech Avenue, Brentwood, was stopped by roads policing officers in London Road, Wickford, soon after police received reports of his theft, from BP in Hutton Mount on 11 October.

Magistrates were told the following day that Allaker had eight bottles of Champagne and a bottle of Prosecco in the car when he was stopped and officers searched it.

Allaker pleaded guilty at the hearing to five counts of shop theft between 8 August and 11 October 2026 from three BP service stations – Ingrave Road, Herongate, and on the A13 at Orsett Cock as well as Hutton Mount – plus Tesco in Hanging Hill Lane, Brentwood.

Altogether, he stole meat, wine, Prosecco and the Champagne, totalling £1,117.55.

The court remanded Allaker on conditional bail until his sentencing hearing, due on 25 November 2026. Conditions include not to enter any BP, B&Q, Sainsbury's or Tesco store in Essex and Suffolk.