A prolific shoplifter who stole 17 times from shops in Wisbech in less than four weeks has been jailed.
Daniel Lawrence, 38, was arrested just before midnight on Monday (April 7) after CCTV operators alerted police he was outside the Wheatsheaf Inn, in Church Terrace, Wisbech.
Lawrence was wanted in connection with 17 thefts from shops between March 13 and April 7, including ten at the Horsefair shopping centre in Churchill Road.
He was arrested in Churchill Road and later charged with the 17 thefts and being in possession of a blade in a public place after a Stanley blade was found in his pocket upon his arrest.
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Lawrence, of no fixed address, appeared at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (9 April) where he was sentenced to 32 weeks in prison, after admitting all 18 charges.
He must also pay £100 in compensation to Tesco, £50 to Superdrug and £50 to Boots.
PC Brett Holloway, who investigated, said: "Lawrence is a prolific criminal with many theft convictions.
"He has been targeting shops in Wisbech, predominantly around the Horsefair shopping centre, and stolen goods worth more than £2,000 in the space of less than four weeks.
"Through joint working with CCTV operators and local businesses, we were able to identify him, evidence the crimes he was responsible for, and put him back before the courts."
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The offences were:
- Theft of clothing worth £18 from Peacocks, Horsefair shopping centre, on March 13
- Theft of clothing worth £60 from Peacocks, Horsefair shopping centre, on March 14
- Theft of alcohol worth £49 from Tesco Extra, Cromwell Road, on March 15
- Theft of laundry products worth £50 from Tesco, Kirkgate Street, on March 16
- Theft of alcohol worth £100 from Asda, North End, Wisbech on March 18
- Theft of meat worth £252.05 from Tesco Extra, Cromwell Road, on March 19
- Theft of an air fryer worth £30 from Heron Foods, Horsefair shopping centre, on March 22
- Theft of meat worth £352.22 from Tesco Extra, Cromwell Road, on March 22
- Theft of razors worth £368.90 from Boots, Horsefair shopping centre, on March 22
- Theft of donuts worth £3.90 from Greggs, Horsefair shopping centre, on March 25
- Theft of yum yums worth £1.75 from Greggs, Horsefair shopping centre, on March 27
- Theft of chocolates and meat worth £100 from Tesco Extra, Cromwell Road, on March 27
- Theft of skin products worth £398.76 from Superdrug, Horsefair shopping centre, on March 28
- Theft of an air fryer worth £49 from Heron Foods, Horsefair shopping centre, on March 31
- Theft of sausage rolls worth £12.65 from Greggs, Horsefair shopping centre, on March 31
- Theft of razors worth £128.93 from Boots, Horsefair shopping centre, on April 4
- Theft of electricals worth £80 from Superdrug, Horsefair shopping centre, on April 7
- Being in possession of a blade – namely a Stanley blade – in public on April 7
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