Maguire told the Tesco Express manager “I’ll end your life and burn this shop down”
Joel Maguire, of Pimhill Close in Toxteth(Image: Merseyside Police)
A robber who shoved meat and a bottle of wine down his trousers in a Tesco supermarket made a candid confession to a shop manager who confronted him. Joel Maguire, 34, was caught by shop manager Adam Underwood as he attempted to walk out of the London Road store in Liverpool city centre with the items concealed in his clothes.
Maguire became verbally abusive and threatened to “end [the manager’s] life and burn this shop down” before frankly admitting: “I’m Joel Maguire from Toxteth”. The incident occurred at the Tesco Express on London Road on the morning of March 22 this year.
At Liverpool Crown Court today, November 27, prosecutor Ian Hopkins said: “Mr Underwood was at work when the defendant arrived on a pedal cycle. He came into the shop, he selected some meat and a bottle of wine, put the items into his trousers and attempted to leave the shop.
“He was approached by Mr Underwood who asked him to remove the items. The defendant said ‘I know my rights, you can’t touch me, I’ll get you arrested’.
“He was described as very angry, and he told Mr Underwood he had a bottle he would be prepared to use as a weapon.
“The defendant continued to be abusive and said ‘I’ll end your life and burn this shop down’. Slightly unusually, he went onto say ‘I’m Joel Maguire from Toxteth‘, which led police to identify him and subsequently arrest him.”
He said Maguire, of Pimhill Close in Toxteth, had seven convictions for eight past offences, including three offences of shoplifting in April 2025. At today’s sentencing, Maguire pleaded guilty to robbery.
The court was told these incidents occurred “at a time when his mental health was seriously deteriorated”. He was detained at Clock View mental health hospital, where he was said to be suffering from bipolar disorder and psychosis.
Lucy Moran, defending, said: “The defence applied for a hospital order under section 37 of the mental health act. Your honour has seen reports and a confirmation of a bed available. The defendant is currently on the ward and will remain at Clock View.”
Sentencing Maguire, who appeared in court via a video link, Judge Katherine Pierpoint said: “You have been in trouble in the past, albeit you had been able to stay out of trouble from some period of time.
“But in spring this year you began to get into trouble and commit offences of dishonesty. At the time these crimes took place you were obviously struggling with your mental health, and you have had prior episodes of poor mental health.
“I have read the reports that have been prepared. They are both approved by the Secretary of State under the Mental Health Act. I’m satisfied you’re suffering from a mental disorder, namely bipolar disorder.
“This illness is of such a nature that makes it appropriate to be detained in hospital for treatment.”
She made a Section 37 hospital order under the Mental Health Act 1983, meaning Maguire must remain in hospital custody. A section 37 initially lasts for six months, but can be extended or renewed by a responsible clinician.
She also made a restraining order banning Maguire from the London Road Tesco Express for a period of three years.