Aldershot shoplifter, 42, jailed for a year

A shoplifter has been jailed for a year after a suspended sentence order was activated when he appeared in court for stealing alcohol in Aldershot.

Richard Burns, 42, of Grosvenor Road, Aldershot, stole six bottles of Jack Daniels worth £156 from Morrisons on 13 February.

He was arrested and charged with one count of theft from a shop.

Burns appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on Friday 14 February and pleaded guilty to the offence.

He was jailed for a total of 12 months after a suspended sentence order was activated.

Police Sergeant Rob Tiller, from the Aldershot Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Richard Burns is a prolific offender and his actions have had a huge impact on businesses, shop workers and the wider community.

“We take all reports of shoplifting 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.