In a Derby Telegraph article (25/11/25) Cllr Ingall confirmed that he was banned from the Sainsbury’s store for a “mistake”. This follows the article in Derby News a week earlier Deputy Mayor Cllr Phil Ingall banned from Sainsbury’s for shoplifting

The DT article highlights inconsistencies in Ingalls’ official public position

It’s confirmed that he used the self-scanning process.

Bags are subject to random checks by dedicated store staff at the point of check out. It is not uncommon that shoppers will make the occasional mistake. If this is found, it is rectified at the self-scan area with no further action from the store.

If the shopper’s bag has not been selected and randomly checked by store staff then, unless the “mistake” item is a tagged product, the shopper will be able to exit without paying for the item – deliberately, or otherwise.

There would be no basis for a security guard to stop someone at the exit a few minutes later, unless:

• The “mistake” item is a tagged product (portable expensive items) sounding an alarm.
• The shopper was observed adding items to the bag, after payment
• And / or they are being monitored closely due to previous history of “mistakes” and the secuity guard was alerted by store staff.

An isolated, innocent mistake would not result in a ban.

Research suggests that a ban would happen if the “mistake” was:

• Intentional
• Repeated “mistakes” with expensive items
• Unusual body language
• Consistency of “mistakes”
• Reaction on being found out

This implies that being banned for a “mistake” is effectively “shoplifting”

Cllr Ingall has stated in the DT article that he will be taking legal advice over the Derby News article for the use of the word “shoplifting” – not the fact that it was reported that he tried to leave the store without paying, and that he was banned by Sainsbury’s.