Man sentenced for series of shop thefts across the coast

A serial shoplifter has been handed a suspended prison sentence following a series of thefts from shops.

Blake Holmes-Parker, aged 21, of Trunch Lane, Chapel St Leonards, was arrested in Ingoldmells on 29 September in relation to theft from shops.

He was charged with 13 thefts from shops and remanded in custody to appear at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on 30 September.

The charges were in relation to theft from shops in Chapel St Leonards, Ingoldmells and Boston between 29 July and 27 September 2023. Some of the thefts were carried out at Tesco in Boston, Silver Beach Supermarket in Anchor Lane, Ingoldmells, a shop in Sea Road, Chapel St Leonards and The Red Shopping Centre in Sea Lane Chapel Leonards.

Following his court appearance, Holmes-Parker was handed a 22-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay a £200 fine.

PC Billy Spence said: “We want the community to see that regardless of the level of crime committed, we will take action.

“We will not tolerate people like this who commit these types of offences. Retail crime is far from being a victimless crime; it hurts businesses who must grapple with higher costs and lost stock, resulting in an increase in prices for us all.

“As a force, we are continuing to tackle this type of criminality by carrying out proactive patrols, pursuing offenders and working with our partners and local businesses to try and prevent offenders from committing these offences in the first place.”

To report a crime call us on 101, always call 999 in an emergency.