Man jailed for a year for shoplifting in Aldershot

A shoplifter has been jailed for a year after he breached a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) and stole items from stores in Aldershot.

Ryan Gibbs, 40, of no fixed abode, stole cleaning products worth more than £180 from Bargain Buys on Wellington Street on two separate occasions on 8 July. He also assaulted a male member of staff. No injuries were reported.

Gibbs also stole confectionary items worth more than £120 from Co-op on Lower Farnham Road on 6 July. He also breached a CBO which banned him from entering Aldershot.

Officers launched an investigation, and Gibbs was later charged with three counts of theft from a shop, assault by beating and three counts of breaching a CBO.

He pleaded guilty to all offences and was jailed for 12 months at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on Friday 1 August.

Police Sergeant Rob Tiller, from the Aldershot Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We know that Ryan Gibbs’s behaviour has had a huge impact on businesses, shop workers and the wider community.

“We take all reports of shoplifting and assault extremely seriously and I hope this result reassures the local community that we will do all we can to put offenders before the courts.

“We want to stop this type of behaviour, and encourage businesses affected to please keep reporting crimes to us so we can relentlessly pursue those responsible.”

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. If a crime is in progress, please call 999.