Prolific Swindon shoplifter jailed

Swindon Police report that a prolific thief from Swindon has been jailed.

Martin Morgan, 36, of Whitworth Road, was initially arrested on 7 March for a series of thefts from various shops in the town including the Co-Op in Old Town, Co-op in Cheney Manor Road, and Marks & Spencer and Boots in the Brunel Plaza.

He was arrested on suspicion of eight counts of theft totaling more than £3,000 and five counts of breaching a previously imposed Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from entering premises in the town centre.

He was remanded in custody until 8 March and was sentenced to a 12 month prison sentence suspended for two years.

However, on 10 March, Morgan was once again arrested for breaching his CBO by entering Boots in the Brunel Plaza and carrying out two further thefts from Wilko’s in The Parade with goods worth nearly £400 stolen.

On 11 March, he appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court and was given a 12 month and two week prison sentence.

PC Paul Bezzant said: “I am pleased that the suspended sentence previously given to Morgan has now been activated and he has been sent to prison as a result of his constant offending at various shops around the town.

“Morgan is a prolific offender who has previously been jailed for similar offences and has failed to learn from his mistakes.

"I can only hope that Morgan’s time in prison will be spent reflecting on his actions and the impact they have on hardworking business people within the town.”