Shoplifter who threatened brave worker had 88 previous convictions

FOLLOWING the foiled shoplifting robbery at Hinckley retailer TKMaxx reported in your issue of October 2nd and the subsequent sentencing of the thief, I am writing to express our shock and disappointment at the ridiculously lenient sentence handed down to this individual of just 9 months in prison.

Threatening to stab the brave council employee who stopped him (subsequently aided by a brave passer-by who himself heard the threats), and found to be carrying a serrated knife which obviously could have caused serious injury or even death - how is a 9 month sentence (probably let out after 18 weeks) a serious deterrent? Especially as in the Report he had 88 previous convictions.

Shoplifting is rife throughout towns in the UK, largely because if caught the culprits simply get a warning. To help protect both visitors to our town centre and our Businesses, we at Hinckley BID have contributed to our proactive Councils further investment in their state-of-the-art CCTV system and the BID have invested in a Radio-Link system allowing 34 town centre businesses to report issues as they happen directly to CCTV Control. This has resulted in a greatly improved arrest rate by our local police officers but if all the courts do in many cases is admonish the culprits verbally, how is that preventing them repeating this type of crime which we all end up paying for, and which could result in somebody getting seriously hurt….?

Steve Wegerif Director, Hinckley BID