A “prolific shoplifter” has been sentenced after having pled guilty to 21 counts of theft which caused “significant harm” to businesses across East Sussex. Stephen Wood, 33, of no fixed address, had undertaken a number of separate shoplifting incidents and was sentenced to 10 months in prison, along with his suspended sentence which was activated, bringing his total prison time to 34 months.
After he was reported for shoplifting, Sussex Police searched for the man and found him hiding in a garden shed after a member of the public called the police. He was arrested and charged with 21 counts of theft, including from Tesco in North Street, Hailsham, and Co-op stores in Heathfield, Peacehaven, Bexhill, Horsebridge, Seaford and Newhaven.
Among the items he stole, which amounted to £5k, were hoovers, a television, boxes of hair straighteners and electric razors, alcohol, cigarettes, toys, and bedding. He undertook these thefts in February, March and into April 2023.
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Detective Sergeant Richard Breeze, of Eastbourne CID, said: “Stephen Wood caused significant harm to business across our district and we are pleased to see the persistent nature of his offending reflected in this sentence. I’d like to thank staff at the businesses affected for reporting the incidents to us and for their continued support bringing the case to court, and the member of the public who reported Wood’s whereabouts that enabled our officers to bring him into custody.
“We will continue working closely with partners in our community to prevent business crime and bring those responsible for causing harm to justice.”
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