Brentwood / Witham: Prolific shoplifter jailed

A prolific shoplifter arrested by a sharp-eyed Brentwood Town Centre Team officer has been jailed for 16 weeks after admitting a string of thefts.

Clint Wallace, 45, of Groveway, Dagenham, was spotted in Brentwood High Street on 22 April by the officer, who knew he was wanted for outstanding offences.

He was arrested, charged and put before Southend Magistrates’ Court yesterday, 23 April, where he admitted seven shop thefts across the Brentwood district and a public order offence in a Witham store – all committed between 3 February and 19 April 2024.

As well as jailing him for a total of 16 weeks, magistrates ordered Wallace to pay a £154 victim surcharge.

Investigating officer Sergeant Jade Harrison said after the hearing:

“One of the Brentwood Town Centre Team officers spotted Wallace and, knowing he was wanted for shop theft, arrested him on Monday morning.
“Shop theft isn’t a victimless crime and retail staff and customers can be affected by the behaviour of some shoplifters.
“We don’t tolerate shoplifting or any associated abuse or anti-social behaviour so we encourage anyone who experiences it or sees it happening to report it to us.
“Where we have the evidence we will always look to secure charges but we need people’s help to provide us with that evidence.”

The court heard that Wallace had entered Superdrug in Brentwood High Street on three occasions when banned from doing so, stealing toothbrushes and electrical beauty items.

In Witham’s Superdrug store he threatened a member of staff after being asked to leave because he was also banned from that store.

He stole 31 lipsticks from Shadworth Pharmacy in Ingatestone High Street and twice stole from the nearby Co-op, taking lunch items, beauty products and medicines.

And, at New Pharmacy in Brentwood High Street, he stole two bottles of perfume.

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