A shoplifter has been jailed for committing 17 thefts in Worthing.
Joanne Cook was sentenced to 52 weeks’ imprisonment at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 5 June for these 17 incidents, and for breaching a suspended sentence.
Previously, on 27 April at Brighton Magistrates’ Court, Cook had been given a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, for six shoplifting offences between 10 and 26 April.
Her suspended sentence was activated after it was revealed that she stole goods worth £6672.07 in 17 separate incidents between 4 March and 1 June. The stolen items included food, jewellery, and alcohol.
The shops targeted by Cook during her shoplifting spree included:
- Sainsbury’s, Lyons Farm, Sompting
- Paydens Pharmacy, Broadwater
- Tesco Express, Goring Road
- Co-op, Test Road, Sompting
- Co-op, Tarring Road
- Tesco, Dominion Road
Cook, aged 35 and of no fixed address, was arrested on 4 June and subsequently charged with 17 counts of shoplifting and 5 counts of breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).
The conditions of her CBO are as follows:
- Not to remain on any retail premises in Sussex after being asked to leave
- Not to enter any Co-op in Sussex
- Not to enter Sainsbury’s, Lyons Farm
- Not to enter any Tesco store in West Sussex
- Not to enter Morrisons Daily, Broadwater Road
- Not to enter Martins/McColls, Broadwater
- Not to enter Paydens Pharmacy
Cook pleaded guilty to all 17 offences.
Sergeant Andy Bryant stated: “This is a brilliant result for a prolific shoplifter in Worthing. There was a lot of hard work from our teams to secure this sentence for Cook and I am delighted with the outcome to curb her offending. No shop worker should have to deal with theft, and Sussex Police has a stern stance on business crime. We will arrest, charge, and put suspects before the courts. Retail crime is hugely impactful to businesses and we will aim to ensure we crack down on thieves like Cook.”
Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “Thanks to the robust work of Sussex Police and their dedicated Business Crime Team, another prolific shoplifter has been taken off our streets. Despite having previously been imprisoned and subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order, this thief thought she could get away with another huge shoplifting spree that cost thousands and caused distress to staff and customers. The arrest and charge of the offender sends a clear message to others who steal from retailers in Sussex – you will not get away with it. Our improved approach between shops and the police means it is only a matter of time until you will be caught.”
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