A 'PROLIFIC and brazen' Winchester shoplifter has been jailed for eight weeks.
John Gillingham, 38, of Hyde Gate, pleaded guilty to eight counts of theft from a shop during a hearing on Friday, May 10.
Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court heard that his offending took place between Friday, April 19 and Tuesday, May 7.
Seven of the eight thefts took place at the One Stop shop in Battery Hill, Stanmore, while the other one was at Iceland in Middle Brook Street.
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The court heard Gillingham would fill bags full of grocery and cleaning products before leaving the stores. The total value of the goods stolen was estimated to be nearly £1,500.
Gillingham was arrested and put forward before the courts following an investigation by Winchester’s neighbourhood policing team.
PC Will Andrews said: “Gillingham is a prolific and brazen offender, whose behaviour has affected local businesses, shopworkers and the local community.
“I hope our action and this sentence sends out the message that we won’t tolerate shoplifting in Winchester.”
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