Man given nine-month community order for series of thefts

A man from Hadleigh has been given a nine-month community order after being convicted on theft offences.

Stafford Straker, of Market Place, in Hadleigh, appeared before Ipswich Magistrates Court today,  Tuesday, February 1.

The 41-year-old was charged on December 16, 2021, with two counts of theft that took place on November 6 and 7, at the Co-op where alcohol and a vacuum cleaner were stolen.

Following his charge Straker then elected to work with the Operation Converter team and he admitted a further 15 theft offences that took place between the October 10, 2021, and  December 15, 2021, and were from various retail outlets in the Hadleigh area.

He pleaded guilty to these offences and in total with all his offending the amount of items stolen totalled over £1,400.

Duncan Etchells from the Op Converter team said: “Our thanks go to PC Simon Lant from Hadleigh Safer Neighbourhood Team whose hard work secured the two initial charges. His efforts to get these charged meant we could then engage with Straker through Op Converter – he was a persistent offender who struggled to change his criminal behaviour.”