Shoplifter Jailed After Assaulting Security Guard, Thanks to Facial Recognition Technology
A shoplifter who assaulted a security guard and threw a drink in his face has been jailed, thanks to facial recognition technology.
Image of the CCTV still used for Retrospective Facial Recognition Technology (left) and Spiteri's custody picture.
On 12 June 2024, an unidentified man entered the Sainsbury’s store on St Mary Street, Cardiff, and concealed two alcoholic drinks in his pocket before attempting to leave. A security guard intervened, requesting the return of the items, but the man refused. He exited the store, only to return shortly afterwards to douse the security guard with one of the drinks and punch him.
Officers obtained a CCTV still of the suspect from the store, and Retrospective Facial Recognition Technology was used to identify Marcus Spiteri. This technology compares images of unknown subjects' faces against a reference image database to ascertain their identity.
Spiteri, 39, was arrested, charged with assault and shoplifting, and sentenced to 14 weeks in prison within a week of the offence.
PC Grace Burr, the officer in charge of the case, commented: “We will not tolerate any form of abuse towards shop workers. Working closely with the management at the Sainsbury’s store in Cardiff, we were able to use facial recognition technology to swiftly identify the perpetrator and make an arrest. He found himself in prison within a week, and it’s this type of quick justice that facial recognition technology can help deliver.”
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