Man, 44, sentenced for shoplifting in Ringwood

A 44-year-old man from Bournemouth, Dorset has been sentenced for shoplifting.

Owen James Sacala, of Palmerston Road, received a £50 fine and was ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

Sacala is also now subject to a 12-month community order, with a 6-month drug rehabilitation requirement, and 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

It follows a theft from Boots in Southampton Road, Ringwood shortly after 3pm last Wednesday (8 November).

Sacala entered the store and stole £697 worth of cosmetic products. He pleaded guilty to the offence at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Friday (9 November).

Reflecting on the court result, Sergeant Arron Wood, of the New Milton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This was a really good piece of policing by one of our officers.

“He was in the store on an unrelated matter when he was told about a suspected shoplifter. He then quickly detained Sacala outside the shop.

“As I have said before, retail crime in Hampshire is one of the force’s current priorities and we will continue to support that by robustly dealing with shoplifters.

“We will always deal with these matters seriously and will make all efforts to identify offenders and bring them before the courts.”

If you are a shop owner or staff member, please continue to report any shopliftings to us.

With your information, we can take action, including arresting and charging suspects and convicting offenders at court.

You can do this by calling 101, or by reporting online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website.

You can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.