Shoplifter from Peterborough jailed after spate of thefts from city stores
A shoplifter from Peterborough who continued offending after failing to appear at court has been jailed.
Cambridgeshire police say that following a string of shopliftings at B&M in Ortongate Shopping Centre and Pets at Home in Bourges Boulevard, .Alan Harding (45) was arrested by the Spree offender team in Peterborough city centre in January.
Police say that Harding was charged with the offences and bailed at court pending a further hearing which he failed to attend.
The police state that Harding continued his offending and stole almost £1,250 worth of items between January 22 and March 5.
He was arrested at his home in Figtree Walk, Dogsthorpe, Peterborough, and charged with the thefts.
Police say that at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on March 11, Harding was jailed for 22 weeks for 11 thefts and being in possession of a class B drug, after he was found in possession of ‘spice’ during a warrant in Peterborough.
Afterwards, PC Jack Jenkins, from the Spree offender team, said: “Harding has shown a complete disregard for the law by failing to attend his court date and continue offending.
“Persistent shoplifters can have a big impact on the businesses they target, and the team will continue to take robust action against those causing issues.”