Shoplifter’s reign of town thefts

POLICE say a prolific shoplifter’s reign of thefts was ‘frankly ridiculous’ given how notorious he is - and his name definitely stands out.

John Lewis, aged 34 from Portland Street in Leamington Spa, targeted shops around the Shires Retail Park and The Parade.

During his latest spree, on November 11 , he stole a £100 coat from a clothing shop in the Shires Retail Park in Leamington and was caught on CCTV. Then, on March 6, he went into 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 that point he seemingly changed his mind and took a second bottle of vodka before simply strolling out of the store without paying.

Two days later, Lewis was caught on CCTV making off with a bicycle which was left outside of a supermarket in Shires Retail Park. On 26 March, he took two bottles of whiskey valued at £45, again from a supermarket on The Parade.

Then, on April 9, Lewis went back to the supermarket in Shires Retail Park and put a red charity coin box inside his jacket. Two days later at a pharmacy on The Parade, Lewis took two packs of makeup brushes and three other cosmetic items to the total value of £43.98.

Finally, on April 12, Lewis went into a clothing shop in Shires Retail Park again, and took another coat valued at £129.99. On all of the occasions, he was recognised by staff.

In interview, after being arrested, Lewis said he stole to fund his drug habit. At Coventry Magistrates Court on April 18 he was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison and fined £718.94 for six counts of shop theft and one count of bicycle theft.

’Following the court hearing, 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.”