Eggs-travagant theft: Man jailed for stealing 200,000 chocolate eggs

A man called “The Easter Bunny” by police has been jailed for 18 months for stealing 200,000 chocolate eggs.

According to CNN International, 32-year-old Joby Pool in February stole USD 40,000 (P2 million) worth of Cadbury Creme Eggs, after breaking into an industrial unit and making off with the haul in a stolen truck. The milk chocolate eggs, which are only available during the Easter season and are filled with a "yolk" of yellow and white fondant, have a cult following in the UK.

CNN reported that the US food business Mondelez International, which owns Cadbury, distributes 220 million Creme Eggs annually in Britain.

Pool was sentenced to an 18-month prison term on Thursday, July 20 at Shrewsbury Crown Court by Judge Anthony Lowe. His prior six months in detention will contribute towards his prison sentence, with half of that time being spent behind bars and the other half being spent on his license.

Pool had already entered guilty pleas to charges of stealing, criminal mischief, and uninsured driving.

According to PA News Agency, as quoted by CNN, the court decided that Pool had towed the trailer containing the eggs away from the industrial unit using a stolen tractor.

Pool's then-attorney John McMillan stated in court at a prior proceeding: "He stopped the vehicle when he realized he was being followed. He realized that the game was up—he realized the police were behind him and pulled in when it was safe to do so.”

“He wasn't offering any resistance and he was then arrested,” continued McMillan.

Following the arrest, West Mercia Police tweeted that they had "helped save Easter for Creme Egg fans" and described the situation as an "eggs-travagent theft,” CNN reported. (ANI)