Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site
We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.
You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.
This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.
A prolific shoplifter who targeted two Southend garages 42 times in ten weeks has been jailed.
Jack Hills, 31, often concealed his thefts in a Minnie Mouse bag, the city’s magistrates heard on 4 October 2024.
Between 26 July and 3 October 2024, Hills stole £6,371.40 of goods from the stores at the BP garages in West Road and London Road, including alcohol, deli items, meat, chocolate and car care products.
He was spotted by an officer from Southend Local Policing Team shortly after his last theft, at the garage in West Road, was reported and arrested nearby.
After the hearing, investigating officer PC Rachel Smith, of Southend Local Policing Team, said:
“Many of Hills’ thefts individually amounted to less than £200 but they added up to almost £6,400 which is a lot of money for two businesses to lose.
“And then there’s the threat and harm caused to members of shop staff and customers who experienced Hills’ criminal activities.
“We will always seek to secure charges where we have the evidence to do so.
“Hills is in jail now because these two businesses had previously reported offences committed against them and supplied us with witness statements and CCTV stills.
“This evidence enabled a strong case to be presented at court, leaving him no choice but to plead guilty at the first opportunity.”
Hills, of no fixed address, admitted the 42 thefts. He was jailed for a total of 24 weeks and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £154 victim surcharge.
We're offering more ways for our communities to stay up to date with our work across Essex.
Our e-newsletter, Dispatch, delivers news, information, and advice from Essex Police.
Dispatch is a ‘one stop shop’ for local police news – direct from the source.
Sign up is completely free and you can unsubscribe at any time.