Prolific Hove Co-op shop thief sentenced

A shoplifter who repeatedly stole items from a Co-op store was identified, arrested, and has been sentenced in court.

Phillip Walker targeted the store in Blatchington Road, Hove, during a two-month spree this summer.

The 39-year-old regularly stole alcohol and other items from the shop without paying for them.

In total he stole goods worth more than £1,800 during 30 recorded incidents between July and September this year.

But following an investigation by the store and Sussex Police’s Business Crime Team, he was identified and made a priority for arrest.

Walker was arrested and charged with 30 shop theft offences on September 28.

At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on September 29, Walker, of no fixed address, admitted all the charges and was jailed for a total of six months.

The court was told how the first offence was committed on July 7, and the last offence was recorded on September 16.

Sussex Police’s Business Crime lead Christopher Neilson said: “We are working in partnership with the Co-op to identify suspects and prevent thefts.

“Thanks to evidence being uploaded, our Business Crime Team in the Investigation and Resolution Centre were able to build a strong case.

“It meant Walker was identified, arrested, and remanded to appear in court, where he then had no choice but to plead guilty.

“This case demonstrates our determination to catch offenders by working effectively in partnership with businesses.

"We are working in partnership with the Co-op and key partners locally like the Brighton Business Crime Reduction Partnership to identify suspects and prevent thefts."