Man jailed for series of shoplifting offences

A man from the Bury St Edmunds area has been jailed for just over six months for shoplifting offences.

Sean Smith, (pictured above) of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Norwich Magistrates Court yesterday (Thursday, October 19) to 26 weeks in jail for committing a total of 19 shoplifting offences from August to October 2023.

These took place at business premises in Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich. Among the items stolen included groceries from Aldi in Newmarket; alcohol from Sainsbury in Ipswich; headphones from HMV in Ipswich and cosmetics from Boots.

The conviction of the 24-year-old is the latest in a recent string of shoplifting offences that have taken place in the Bury St Edmunds area.

A 22-year-old man was jailed for three weeks for shoplifting earlier in October; a 21-year-old was jailed for 12 weeks for shoplifting in September; in August a 53-year-old man was jailed for eight weeks for shoplifting, while a 29-year-old man was jailed for nine weeks for shoplifting in September.

Inspector Andy Beeby, from Bury St Edmunds police, said: “The Smith result and the other convictions that have taken place recently demonstrate shoplifting is a crime whatever the value of the item stolen and can result in a criminal conviction.

“With it being Safer Business Action Week this week, hopefully this will give some comfort to shop owners that where the compelling evidence is secured we will look to prosecute with appropriate action taken by the courts – alternatives to custodial sentences can include Community Protection Notices and Criminal Behaviour Orders.

“We work closely with businesses and our Design Out Crime Officers providing crime prevention advice and guidance to owners which we encourage them to take on board. Periodically, operations are carried out to try to target such offences through high-visibility and covert patrols in a bid to disrupt shoplifters, particularly persistent offenders who choose not to change their criminal behaviour.”