A MAN has been convicted of theft and breach of bail following a string of incidents in Reading, Thames Valley Police has said.
Luke Sampson, aged 31 and of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to 38 counts of shoplifting and a further 41 counts of breach of bail.
He entered the guilty plea at a hearing at Reading Crown Court on Thursday, July 4, after having been charged on the same day, and is now due to be sentenced at a later date.
It follows a string of incidents during which Sampson shoplifted various items, including cheese, meat, washing powder, and alcohol from a Co-operative shop on London Road.
The incidents took place between March 5 and June 30 this year.
Investigating officer PC Ethan Milsom, of the Reading Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “As part of Operation Purchase, The Reading Neighbourhood policing team have worked tirelessly to secure the conviction of one of our most prolific shoplifters.
“We are committed to working hard to support our retail community and shall continue to bring offenders to justice.”