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14:36 28/07/2022
One of Lincoln’s most prolific shoplifters has been given a custodial sentence for committing a further 23 offences after being granted a suspended sentence for the same offences just nine days earlier.
Nathan Lewis, 21, of Goldsmith Walk, Lincoln, was arrested and charged yesterday (27 July) for 11 shop thefts and 12 breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) which banned him from entering any of the stores he stole from.
He had previously been charged with 16 thefts over the course of a month, as well as one charge of assault which he was given a two year CBO for on 7 July. Last week he was charged with a further four thefts and three breaches of that CBO, and was sentenced to 12 weeks, suspended for six months at a hearing at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on 19 July.
The thefts included items such as food items, cleaning products, toys and alcohol adding up to at least £750, and took place at more than six stores in the city.
As a result of the latest charges, his suspended sentence has been invoked at a hearing at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court today, and he has been given a further 12 weeks on top of that. He will begin his 24 week custodial sentence immediately.
Another prolific offender, Nyree Bonner, 48, of Ashcroft Road, Gainsborough, appeared at Lincoln Magistrates' Court yesterday (27 July) and her case has been adjourned until 4 August for pre-sentence reports.
The nine most prolific shop thieves in Lincoln and Gainsborough responsible for almost £9K of stolen goods since March have been convicted thanks to proactive work by Lincolnshire Police.
The individuals carried out thefts across a range of shops throughout the city, with goods ranging from cleaning products and toys to alcohol, chocolate and general groceries.
The thefts took place between March and July in all cases, officers were able to build an intelligence picture on each person responsible which enabled the prosecutions.
We are now investigating where and who the goods have been sold on to, and whether there is an individual or groups handling the stolen goods once they are taken.
Lincoln Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector Ian Richardson said: “Shop thefts have a significant impact on the staff and local community, and they deserved our attention; I am really pleased to say that these results mean we can provide the stores being targeted, and their employees, with some respite from constant battle of dealing with shop theft.
"It can be incredibly intimidating in many circumstances, as well as have a financial impact on the staff in those stores. The motivations of those committing these offences are purely to satisfy their own needs without thought to the people who would be affected. Being able to have a positive impact on crime for a victim is why I joined policing in the first place. We’re not stopping here.
"We will continue to monitor shop thefts and take action on those responsible, and we are now investigating where these good have been sold. The volume taken means it’s highly implausible that the items were kept for personal use, and we know that some goods have already been sold via Facebook Marketplace. We would urge people to consider whether they believe a product is legitimate before they make a purchase via social media.”
Here are the people responsible:
We have also charged Paul Bedford, 42, of Laurel Close, Lincoln with six counts of theft following incidents reported at four different Co-op shops and two Sainsbury’s stores between March and July. It was reported that general grocery items such as chocolate were stolen, with goods totaling around £700. He was charged on 18 July and bailed to appear at Lincoln Magistrates on 18 August.
The positive outcome is a result of proactive policing from the Lincoln Neighbourhood Policing Team, officers and staff working on community intelligence, and partnership work with CCTV team at the City of Lincoln Council, local drug charities, and probation services.