A 40 year old man from Sutton in Ashfield has been given a six month suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to a series of thefts from shops. Adam Spencer, of Northfield Close in Sutton admitted two burglaries and three shoplifting offences when he appeared before Magistrates in Nottingham on Wednesday (29 May)
The two burglaries took place at the same Iceland store in Priestsic Road, Sutton within hours of each other.
At 2.40 am on 2 May, Spencer broke in to the Iceland store through a back door and stole £120 worth of meat products. Less than two hours later, at 4.20 am, he was back at the store. This time he took four Air Fryers, valued at £300 and an unknown number of toiletries, tea and coffee.
On 19 May he was back at the Iceland store, this time when it was open, and stole three bottles of Comfort laundry products, valued at £21.
Before targeting Iceland, Spencer stole £50 of goods from the Tesco store in Alfreton Road, Sutton, on 11 April. And on 17 April, he stole 17 tins of Pringles, valued at £31.45, from the Asda supermarket in Priestsic Road.
He was caught when officers from the Nottinghamshire Police’s county priority tasking team, who were investigating Spencer for the thefts, spotted him in Lammas Road. He tried to cycle away but the police officers chased after him and arrested him after catching up with him.
Magistrates handed Spencer a six month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £200 in compensation and complete a six month drug rehabilitation programme.
“The actions of prolific thieves like Spencer can have a really negative impact on communities, who don’t want to see their stores targeted again and again”, PC Dean Fenton, of Nottinghamshire Police, said. “Shoplifting isn’t a victimless crime. These offences hurt businesses, affect people’s livelihoods, and can ultimately result in shoppers having to pay more for items as prices go up as a result.
“Burglary is also a very serious offence, so we were pleased to be able to link Spencer to the two he was involved in, as well as the shop thefts, and put him before the courts.”
