A Prince George man with a history of similar offences was sentenced Tuesday to a further eight months in jail for attempting to shoplift more than $500 worth of groceries and then getting into a scuffle with the store's loss prevention officer.
Daymond Micheal Ryder, 39, must also serve one year probation once the jail sentence is over for a Jan. 26 incident at Real Canadian Superstore.
Ryder was "significantly under the influence of alcohol," the court heard, when he attempted to walk out the door with black reusable shopping bags carrying $515.70 worth of groceries, mostly meat and cheese without paying for them.
When the officer approached him, Ryder attempted to run away and, when grabbed by the wrist and shoulder, he attempted to elbow the man and then choke him. With the store manager's help, Ryder was restrained. He calmed down back, was taken back into the store and handed over to police.
Dating back to October 2008, Ryder's record includes seven previous convictions for theft $5,000 or under in Prince George and in July 2013, he received five months in jail and one year probation for three of those counts.
For the most recent offences, Crown prosecution called for nine months in jail less time already served in custody - working out to 246 more days behind bars - and defence counsel agreed with the suggestion.
Once out of jail, Ryder is scheduled to attend a treatment centre to deal with an addiction to opiates. He had been living with a woman who had drawn Ryder into a life of drugs and alcohol, the court had heard.
