Man jailed for Ryde shoplifting

A man has been jailed following an investigation into a number of shoplifting incidents in Ryde.

Warren Russell, aged 39, was charged with the following offences, which he admitted when he appeared at Newport Magistrates' Court today (3 February):

• Theft of £60 worth of goods from Poundland on Ryde High Street on 30 January.
• Theft of £118.50 worth of alcohol from Co-op on Anglesea Street on 30 January.
• Theft of £32.25 worth of goods from Poundland on Ryde High Street on 2 February.

At today’s hearing, Russell, of Green Street in Ryde, was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison.

Inspector Andy McDonald said: “Retail crime such as shoplifting is a blight on our hardworking business owners and staff. Neighbourhoods Teams across the Island are taking a particularly robust stance against this and I hope local businesses can be pleased and reassured by today’s court result for Warren Russell.

“We are grateful to the retailers who sign up to the Shopwatch scheme on the Isle of Wight. This scheme has proved crucial in assisting NPT officers with their enquiries into these types of offences.”

For more information on business schemes such as Shopwatch, visit: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/keeping-business-safe-from-crime/business-partnerships-reduce-business-crime/