Prolific shoplifter Daniel Lawrence jailed for 32 weeks following four-week theft spree in Wisbech

A prolific shoplifter who carried out 17 thefts in less than four weeks has been jailed.

Daniel Lawrence, of no fixed address, appeared at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday after being arrested just before midnight on Monday, April 7.

The 38-year-old was wanted in connection with multiple thefts from shops between March 13 and April 7, ten of which were at the Horsefair Shopping Centre on Churchill Road in Wisbech.

At the time of his arrest, CCTV operators alerted police that Lawrence was outside the Wheatsheaf Inn, on Church Terrace in Wisbech, and he was later charged with the offences as well as possession of a blade in a public place after officers discovered a Stanley knife in his pocket.

The stolen goods included:

• Clothing worth £18 from Peacocks at Horsefair Shopping Centre, on March 13, and a further £60 from the same store on March 14.

• From Tesco Extra on Cromwell Road, alcohol worth £49 on March 15, meat worth £252.05 on March 19, a further £352.22 worth from the same shop three days later, as well as chocolates and more meat worth £100 on March 27.

• Laundry products worth £50 from Tesco on Kirkgate Street, on March 16.

• Alcohol worth £100 from Asda on North End in Wisbech on March 18.

• An air fryer worth £30 from Heron Foods at Horsefair Shopping Centre on March 22 and another worth £49 from the same store on March 31.

• Razors worth £368.90 from Boots in Horsefair Shopping Centre on March 22 and a further £128.93 worth when he returned on April 4.

• Donuts worth £3.90 from Greggs in Horsefair Shopping Centre on March 25, and later, Yum Yums worth £1.75 on March 27, as well as sausage rolls worth £12.65 on March 31.

• From Superdrug in Horsefair Shopping Centre, skin products worth £398.76 on March 28 and a further £80 worth of electricals on April 7.

Lawrence admitted to all 17 charges as well as the possession of the blade on April 7 and was sentenced to 32 weeks in prison.

He must also pay £100 in compensation to Tesco, £50 to Superdrug and £50 to Boots.

PC Brett Holloway, who investigated, said: “Lawrence is a prolific criminal with many theft convictions.

“He has been targeting shops in Wisbech, predominantly around the Horsefair Shopping Centre, and stolen goods worth more than £2,000 in the space of less than four weeks.

“Through joint working with CCTV operators and local businesses, we were able to identify him, evidence the crimes he was responsible for, and put him back before the courts.”