Chelmsford: Man charged as part of shoplifting investigation

A man has been charged with multiple offences as part of an investigation into a series of incidents in Chelmsford.

An investigation was launched on 5 October following reports of a theft from the Co op on Broomfield Road in Chelmsford.

On 13 December, whilst attempting to arrest a man on suspicion of shoplifting at The Entertainer in Chelmsford, an officer was assaulted by being punched in the face. During this incident, a large knife was discarded by the suspect at the scene.

Essex Police also received a report on 16 December of a woman being assaulted whilst at an ATM, before having £150 cash stolen from her.

A further four reports of shoplifting were reported to Essex Police, including one at Tesco in Duke Street, Chelmsford on Wednesday, 20 December.

A man was arrested in connection with these incidents and has since been charged with 10 offences including five counts of theft from a shop, assault against an emergency worker, possession of a knife in a public place and common assault.

Kieron Butt, 34 of Camelot Close, Chelmsford has been remanded into custody and will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Thursday, 21 December.

Inspector Sam Girdlestone said “Our Chelmsford and Maldon Community Policing Team have worked hard to investigate these incidents thoroughly and gather what they needed to remand this man into custody.

“Shoplifting offences have a huge impact on our local businesses and we are working hard alongside our Business Crime Team, to prevent them and investigate them when they do occur.”