Two shoplifters – one 27 and the other 32 – will be behind bars rather than propping them up this Christmas after both were jailed.
Zak Wales, 32, of no fixed address, was arrested on Monday (27 November) in connection with 10 thefts between 10 September and 27 November after being identified on CCTV images.
He stole hundreds of pounds worth of meat, fish, coffee, cheese and cereal bars from Co-Ops in Milton Road and Mill Road and Tesco in Campkin Road.
At Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (28 November), Wales, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of theft.
He was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison and must pay £883 in compensation.
Blake Healy, 27, of Victoria Road, Cambridge, was also arrested on Monday after being identified on CCTV for thefts between 12 and 21 November.
He stole meat, chocolate, clothing and candles from Co-Op in Milton Road, JD Sports in the Grafton Centre, Savers in St Andrew’s Street and Superdry in Petty Cury.
Healy also pushed a member of staff who challenged him as he was leaving Superdry with a jacket on 21 November.
At Peterborough Magistrates’ Court yesterday (29 November), Healy pleaded guilty to five counts of theft, an attempted theft and common assault.
He was sentenced to 32 weeks in prison. He must also pay a total of £606 in compensation.
Sergeant Dan Scott said: “While in isolation these offences might be considered low level, this pair show no regard for walking out of stores with baskets full of stolen items and their behaviour towards members of staff should not be tolerated.
” We hope these sentences will be welcome news to businesses in Cambridge that another pair of shop thieves will be in prison at one of the busiest times in retail.”
