Ipswich man handed suspended sentence after shop burglary
He stole over £2,500 worth of cigarettes and tobacco
An Ipswich man has been handed a suspended sentence after admitting to a string of burglaries at shops in the town.
37 year old Scott Hyam, of Ramsgate Drive, admitted burglary and attempted burglary at Ipswich Magistrates' Court.
He was handed six months behind bars suspended for 17 months and will have to pay £1,285 in compensation.
He targeted the Co-op Daily shop on Woodbridge Road on September 5 but was ultimately unable to break through the front door.
The following day he targeted the Co-op on Hines Road and was successful in taking £2,500 in cigarettes and tobacco.
It's thought a second person was involved in the theft but they haven't been identified. Police enquiries are ongoing.
Detective Sergeant Nathan Hails, of Suffolk Constabulary, said:
“Crimes against businesses are not victimless, in this case costing the owners significant sums of money in damage, stock loss and general disruption to the running of the shop if they have to close for a period to clean up and make repairs.
“Scott Hyam is very fortunate that the offences he was convicted for this week, took place prior to the suspended sentence he was handed on 13 September, otherwise he would now find himself in prison – which will be the outcome if he is convicted of any further offences over the next year and a half.”