A WELL-KNOWN shoplifter who repeatedly stole from shops in Leamington has been jailed for 26 weeks.
John Lewis, from Portland Street, was also fined £718.94 for six counts of shop theft and one count of bicycle theft.
On November 11 2023 at just before 5pm, the 35-year-old stole a £100 coat from a clothing shop in the Shires Retail Park in Leamington and was caught on CCTV.
At 11:45pm on March 6, Lewis entered a supermarket on The Parade in Leamington, where he took a bottle of vodka off the shelf.
He was recognised and challenged by a member of staff, at which point he seemingly changed his mind and took a second bottle of vodka – a total value of £50 worth of spirits- before strolling out of the store without paying.
Two days later at around 4:40pm, Lewis was caught on CCTV making off with a bicycle which was left outside of a supermarket in Shires Retail Park.
Lewis stole two bottles of whiskey valued at £45, again from the supermarket on The Parade on March 26 at around 12.45pm. CCTV captured the act, and he was again identified by shop staff.
And on April 9, Lewis went back to the supermarket in Shires Retail Park and concealed a red charity coin box inside his jacket – again, Lewis was caught on CCTV and identified by shop staff.
Two days later at a pharmacy on The Parade, Lewis concealed two packs of makeup brushes and three other cosmetic items to the total value of £43.98.
Finally, on April 12, Lewis entered the clothing shop in Shires Retail Park again, and took another coat valued at £129.99 – as evidenced by CCTV.
When asked, Lewis said he stole to fund his drug habit.
Lewis was sentenced in Coventry Magistrates Court on April 18.
Investigating officer PC Wainwright said: “John Lewis is known so well to business owners that it is frankly ridiculous that he thinks he can continue stealing from them.
“Unfortunately, this is the impact of addiction on the lives of the individual and the lives of those around them. Rationality and sense don’t really come into it.
“Only prolific shoplifters receive prison sentences, which give the businesses a time of respite from their activities, as well as giving people like Lewis an opportunity to rethink their lives and to access support services available to them.”
