A MAN has been sentenced to jail time for multiple shoplifting offences following a Thames Valley Police investigation.
James Peter Hook, aged 46 and of no fixed abode, was sentenced on Thursday, November 23, to 16 weeks imprisonment at a hearing Reading Magistrates’ Court.
He pleaded guilty to 32 separate counts of shoplifting following a string of incidents in Reading between September 2 and November 20.
Hook targeted a number of shops, including one on London Road from which he took goods on 26 separate occasions.
Hook took items from the store totalling £3,349 pounds, predominantly alcohol, and on two further occasions took alcohol worth £1,000 from a shop in Caversham.
He also took champagne worth £220 from another shop in Reading, meat worth more than £500 from a store in Emmer Green, and sunglasses worth £800 from an optician.
Hook was tracked down by the Reading Town Centre neighbourhood team and subsequently arrested and charged on Wednesday, November 11.
Investigating officer, PC Vince Moore, one of the neighbourhood officers for Reading Town Centre, said: “Shoplifting has had a significant impact in Reading and other towns around the country.
“Hook has rightly been convicted and sentenced. He has caused the stores he targeted, not just financial loss, but also caused stress to the store and their staff, who were targeted on numerous occasions.
“We are absolutely committed to tackling this and bringing offenders to justice.
“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.
“I think this is also a timely reminder to anyone who might be tempted to purchase stolen goods that we will also investigate you and bring you to justice”.
