A HOMELESS man has pleaded guilty to stealing a jacket from the Reading branch of John Lewis (Heelas).
The incident happened on October 8, around 11.40am at the Broad Street department store.
Ryan Bunce, 26, stole the jacket worth £210, and was arrested on Thursday, December 7, and charged the same day.
He pleaded guilty at a hearing at Reading Magistrates Court on Friday, December 8, and will be remanded in custody until sentencing takes place on Friday, December 22.
Investigating officer PC Vince Moore, one of the neighbourhood officers for Reading town centre, based at Reading police station, said: “Shoplifting has had a significant impact in Reading and in particular the John Lewis store.
“It is far from being a victimless crime and businesses suffer great financial loss from such offending, and in the case for which Bunce has been convicted, he has caused the store not just financial loss, but also causing huge inconvenience and anguish to the store and their staff, who are targeted on a regular basis.
“We know that shoplifting is a massive issue, and we are absolutely committed tackling retail crime and supporting the business community in our town.
“I hope this conviction will ensure others who feel it’s acceptable to take what is not theirs to reconsider their actions, as we will pursue you, charge you and put you before the courts to face justice.”
