Prolific shoplifter jailed after stealing from Peterborough stores ahead of court hearing
A prolific shoplifter who failed to attend court because he was in police custody for more thefts in Peterborough has been jailed.
Police say that David Harkins (44) of Lincoln Road, Millfield, Peterborough, went on a summer crime spree across the city during which he was arrested twice.
A Cambridgeshire police spokesperson said that Harkins was first arrested on August 4 on suspicion of thefts from Dunelm, in Boulevard Retail Park, on July 24, and Home Bargains, in Bourges Boulevard, on July 31.
The spokesperson said: “He was charged with the two thefts and bailed to appear at court on September 4.
“However, Harkins failed to turn up to his court hearing as he was in custody for a further four thefts.”
Police say that Harkins had been arrested for three thefts from Home Bargains between August 1 and September 1, and the theft of an air fryer from Asda Living, in Brotherhood Retail Park, on August 10.
He was sentenced to 34 weeks in prison when he admitted the offences at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court on September 5.
The court also ordered him to pay £456.27 in compensation.
Afterwards, PC Rebecca Risebrow, who investigated the incidents, said: “Harkins has a blatant disregard for the law, as shown by his continued offending despite waiting to appear in court.
“Thank you to all the retailers who reported incidents to us, regardless of the value.
PC Risebrow added "It allows us to identify those who are involved in retail crime across the city.”