Prolific East Sussex shoplifter jailed after being found in shed
He stole around £5,000 worth of items in a three-month spree
A prolific shoplifter who targeted businesses across East Sussex has been jailed - after he was discovered hiding in a member of the public's shed.
Stephen Wood was convicted of 21 separate shoplifting incidents, carried out between March and April this year.
The 33-year-old, of no fixed address, stole almost £5,000 worth of products in all, including hoovers, a television, boxes of hair straighteners and electric razors, alcohol, cigarettes, toys, and bedding.
Wood targeted stores including Tesco in North Street, Hailsham, and Co-op stores in Heathfield, Peacehaven, Bexhill, Horsebridge, Seaford and Newhaven.
Appearing at Lewes Crown Court on May 23rd after pleading guilty to all 21 offences, Wood was sentenced to 10 months in prison.
His spate of offending also activated a suspended sentence, meaning he will serve a total of 34 months in prison.
Detective Sergeant Richard Breeze, of Eastbourne CID, said:
"Stephen Wood caused significant harm to business across our district and we are pleased to see the persistent nature of his offending reflected in this sentence.
"I’d like to thank staff at the businesses affected for reporting the incidents to us and for their continued support bringing the case to court, and the member of the public who reported Wood’s whereabouts that enabled our officers to bring him into custody.
"We will continue working closely with partners in our community to prevent business crime and bring those responsible for causing harm to justice."