A 22-year-old man from Derby has been banned from all Tesco stores in the city after being convicted of theft and possession of crack cocaine. Bailey Esmonde was issued a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) barring him from entering any Tesco premises in Derby until May 2029, following incidents involving multiple shoplifting offenses.

Esmonde, who is of no fixed address, was arrested in early April after stealing two cans of cider from a Tesco Express in Derby city centre. Two days later, he was also stopped on suspicion of possessing cocaine. He pleaded guilty to theft and possession charges at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court and was given a 12-month conditional discharge alongside an order to pay compensation for the stolen cider.

This is not Esmonde’s first offence. In 2024, he was previously subject to a CBO after admitting to stealing various food and drink items—including a can of Monster energy drink and snacks—from a Tesco Express in Alvaston, Derby. The current order extends his ban from all Tesco outlets and prohibits him from remaining inside retail or commercial premises when asked to leave by staff or law enforcement officers.

Derbyshire Police shared Esmonde’s custody photograph on social media as part of a public information release. The image quickly attracted widespread attention due to his striking resemblance to British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, known for hits such as "Perfect" and "Bad Habits." The post received over 2,700 comments highlighting this likeness, with users making lighthearted references to Sheeran’s song lyrics, including playful twists on “Thinking Out Loud” and “Bad Habits.”

The case has sparked conversations about the use of social media by police forces for public engagement, with some illustrating how mugshots can become viral due to unexpected circumstances. It also recalls previous instances where celebrities have been humorously mistaken for individuals involved in criminal activity, such as when Blackpool police released footage of a shoplifter resembling actor David Schwimmer in 2018.

Authorities emphasize that the focus remains on addressing Esmonde’s repeated offending and preventing future incidents in Derby’s retail establishments. The imposed CBO aims to reduce theft and improve public safety within the city’s commercial areas.