A prolific shoplifter has been jailed after pleading guilty to multiple counts of theft.
Mark Stiggers, 34, of no fixed abode, appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court after being located and arrested on Thursday 15 August while hiding in a front garden in Cumberland Road, Swindon.
Two of the offences were committed the day after he was given a suspended sentence for similar crimes
He was subsequently charged with nine counts of shoplifting from various stores in Swindon.
In the hearing, Stiggers pleaded guilty to all offences and was sentenced to 18 weeks' imprisonment – six weeks for the offences plus a further 12 weeks after breaching a suspended sentence order.
PC Holly Moffat of the Swindon Central South Neighbourhood Team said: “Stiggers is a prolific offender and shoplifter who has had a significant negative impact on businesses and the local community.
“Two of these offences were committed just the day after he was given a suspended sentence for similar crimes, and I’m pleased he is now facing a prison sentence for his actions.
“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime – it has a huge effect, both financially and on morale, on those working in retail and on business owners, and clamping down on it remains a focus under Chief Constable Catherine Roper.
“We are continuing to work closely with retailers and business owners to ensure we are able to target hotspot areas through increased visibility and patrols and through greater intelligence sharing.”
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