Ipswich parcel thief sentenced
He must pay compensation
A man has been ordered to pay compensation after committing four parcel thefts in Ipswich.
Darren Grimwood, aged 34 of Landseer Road in Ipswich was on Tuesday (18 May) at Ipswich Magistrates Court ordered to pay £164 in compensation.
On 27 October 2020 a theft occurred at an address on Martinet Green in the town when two 10kg bags of Himalayan salt valued at £70 in total were stolen from the doorstep after it had been left by a delivery driver.
The victim provided compelling evidence of the theft and after Grimwood was subsequently identified he was interviewed by police and admitted this offence.
He was summonsed to court for a hearing and also investigated by staff from the Operation Converter team. He made admissions to a further six offences including four other similar thefts where he stole similar parcels left on the doorsteps.
These took place at a premises on Boyton Road on 28 October last year where a pair of trainers were stolen, the 9 December on Dereham Road where various items totalling £53 were stolen, one on Munnings Close on December 11 where a parcel containing face masks was taken and one on 16 February this year from Alnesbourne Crescent where a food parcel was taken.
Operation Converter is an initiative aimed at encouraging offenders to admit their crimes.
Police say it has benefits for all as it gives victims some peace of mind that an offender has been caught for the burglary of their home or the theft of their property and the individual has the opportunity to clear their slate, so they can have a fresh start when they are released from prison, without the possibility they will later be traced for a further offence.
Offenders have to give sufficient detail for officers to be sure they have committed the crime and these offences are then 'taken into consideration' at sentencing.