A prolific shoplifter from Cheltenham has been jailed after admitting to almost 30 offences.
Jamie Pockett, aged 44 and of Millbrook Street, received a 36-week prison sentence at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on 11 July after pleading guilty to four counts of theft.
The court heard how Pockett had entered a shop in Winchcombe on four occasions between 11 February and 8 March and stole alcohol and joints of meat worth around £1600 in total.
Pockett admitted to a further 25 shoplifting offences which were taken into consideration upon sentencing.
As well as being jailed for 36 weeks, Pockett was also ordered to pay a £187 surcharge.
When he was arrested and charged in connection with the offences on 10 July, Pockett was handed an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.
In a bid to curb his offending upon his release, an application for a Criminal Behaviour Order has also been made and is due to be heard at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on 20 August.
Sergeant Emma Francis from Tewkesbury Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Pockett’s sentence is reflective of the harm he has caused businesses within our county.
“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime and business owners rightly expect such offenders to be dealt with by police and through the courts.
“These offences can also be horrible for shop workers to be faced with, and we hope the action taken in this case reassures people of our commitment to tackling this issue and we will continue to work with retailers to bring thieves to justice.”
Throughout the summer Gloucestershire Constabulary is taking part in the Safer Streets Summer Initiative in a bid to make towns and city centres safer.
Shoplifting, street crime and anti-social behaviour are crimes that can increase during the summer months and can have a serious impact on people’s lives.