Prolific Worthing shoplifters jailed, including one who hid five bottles of wine in his coat

Bradie Thomson, 31, of The Steyne, Worthing, appeared before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, May 19, to face six charges of theft from a shop and three for breaching a community protection notice (CPN), police said.

The charges were in relation to offences from 27 April at supermarkets across Shoreham and Worthing.

Thomson was spotted on CCTV at each of the premises stealing food and alcohol from the shelves. On one occasion, Thomson stole five bottles of wine and concealed them in his coat before leaving the store, police said.

Thomson was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison for the theft from shop offences and the courts dismissed the three breaches of a CPN.

Anthony Cornford, 30, of The Avenue, Goring, was charged with five counts of theft from a shop dating from February 3 to February 27.

Cornford entered a shop in Goring Road and on each occasion stole a quantity of alcohol by placing it in his rucksack and leaving the shop without paying.

Cornford was sentenced at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, May 19, to eight weeks in prison.

Adur and Worthing Chief Inspector Sarah Leadbeatter said: “The teams have worked incredibly hard to tackle both Thomson’s and Cornford’s shoplifting habit and disruption caused to local businesses. On each occasion witnesses have had to be obtained and CCTV footage viewed.

“The court results for Thomson and Cornford are not the only successful convictions the team have achieved.

“At the start of this month Kirsten Hocking, 28, of no fixed address was also sentenced to 26-weeks in prison after she stole a large quantity of items from different businesses in Worthing, including £996 worth of beauty products.

“We understand the impact shoplifting from local businesses can have but we also recognise the impact this anti-social behaviour could have been having on the community.

“These sentences from the courts have come as of a result of months of investigation, problem solving, close partnership working and the use of our policing powers to persistently target those causing the most threat, harm and risk in the community.

“We would like to thank the public for their support while we continue to tackle matters of ASB and encourage anyone who has been a victim or witnesses of this behaviour to report it to us immediately.”

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