Sources have confirmed that Cllr Phil Ingall, Derby City Councillor for Chellaston and Shelton Lock Ward, and Deputy Mayor, has been banned for life, from the Osmaston Park Road Sainsbury’s store, for shoplifting.

Following a series of “errors” using the Sainsbury’s SmartShop handset (self-scanning), Ingall was monitored and observed by shop staff repeatedly scanning fewer items than he put in to his shopping basket. Due to the nature and scale of the activity he has been subject to a lifetime ban.

According to research from Deloitte , “Supermarkets see about 20-25% of loss through self-scan and checkout technology”

Sainsbury’s HQ in London was approached for a quote ; their response hid behind “Data Protection” on a matter of public interest. It is understood that the local store is instructing staff not to speak about this case.

Ingall has been involved in a number of failed housing/homeless projects in the City:

• P.A.C.E Promote Ability Community Enterprise CIC
  • According to a report in The Sun newspaper (12/12/2018) , Ingall was referred to as a “Director”, albeit not one registered at Companies House.
  • On 4th January 2019, a resolution was passed to wind the organisaiton up owing £484k, including £101k to HMRC.
• Derbyshire Charitable Trust Shop
  • This was opened up on Babington Lane, by Ingall and others on 1 March 2019 as part of the Derbyshire Housing Trust CIC
  • The CIC was incorporated on 24/4/2018 and wind-up proceedings were started on 10/12/2019. The Statement of Affairs showed that it had debts of £125k, including £37k to HMRC.
• Simplicity Apartments Ltd
  • This company was incorporated on 8th April 2019 with Ingall owning 50% of the shares.
  • The last set of accounts was for the year to 30 April 2022 which showed that it had net debts of £43k.
  • It hasn’t published the last 2 years of accounts. It was subject to a compulsory strike off from Companies House in April 2024 which was subsequently suspended.

Ingall is expected, following normal protocol, to be elected as the Mayor of Derby in May 2026.

Comment

All people holding public office are subject to the The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles).

The 4th principle is Accountability.

“Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.”

The public has high expectations of people who have been elected to represent them and consequently there is always a sense of disappointment, dismay and outrage when that trust is broken.