A prolific shoplifter who targeted businesses in Christchurch and Bournemouth has been jailed.
Jack Alexander Barnes, aged 24 and of Burton Road, Christchurch, appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 7 June 2018. After admitting 15 theft offences as well as a public order offence, criminal damage and attempted theft from a shop, he was handed a 15-week jail term.
A 12-week suspended sentence imposed on Monday 14 May 2018 for theft and other offences was also activated, taking the total sentence to 27 weeks.
The 15 theft offences occurred between Monday 30 April 2018 and Wednesday 6 June 2018 with businesses targeted including Tesco Express stores in Tuckton, Christchurch Road in Bournemouth and Barrack Road in Christchurch as well as Co-Operative, One Stop, Londis, Aldi and Waitrose stores in Christchurch and Phillips News in Christchurch Road in Bournemouth.
On nine of the occasions Barnes stole bottles of wine and other items he stole included steaks, tobacco and chocolate bars.
On Wednesday 6 June 2018 the defendant was sitting in the car park of the bowls club at King’s Park in Boscombe and when two women asked if he was alright he responded by being aggressive and abusive toward them.
He also admitted causing criminal damage to an electric door at HSBC bank in High Street, Christchurch, on Wednesday 23 May 2018.
Police Constable Dave Buchanan, of Boscombe police, said: “Jack Barnes is a prolific shoplifter whose offending has caused considerable inconvenience to the stores he has targeted and has also caused concern for residents in the areas where he is offending.
“Our neighbourhood policing teams are committed to working with our local partners to ensure offenders such as Barnes are brought to justice and preventative action is put in place to try and stop them committing further offences when they are released from prison.”
