Hungry thief jailed within 48 hours of arrest

A hungry thief who was wanted for a string of food thefts from shops in Newcastle was caught, put before court, and jailed within 48 hours.

Prolific thief Colin French was wanted for several thefts of food including meat, fish and butter, from Sainsburys stores across the city, totalling hundreds of pounds.

Last week, the 26-year-old was arrested on Conyers Road in Byker after stealing from a Sainsbury’s store in the Heaton area of Newcastle, on Monday afternoon.

Thanks to the efforts of officers from Jesmond and Heaton Neighbourhood Policing team, French who has previous convictions for shoplifting, assault and possession of drugs, was charged with eight counts of shoplifting. 

Appearing before Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, French, of Hugh Gardens, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to all charges against him and on Wednesday started a 16-week sentence in prison.

Following his sentencing, Inspector Anita Morgan, of Northumbria Police’s neighbourhood policing team in Newcastle, said:

“Colin French is a repeat offender and has been a misery to those working in local Sainsbury’s stores across the city.

“Across a week-long period, he stole hundreds of pounds worth of food and showed a total disregard for the law.

“Thanks to quick actions of our neighbourhood officers, I am pleased that he was been arrested and charged so swiftly before being jailed, meaning that he can no longer cause disruption in our communities.”

Anyone who sees anything suspicious in their community should report it to police by going to https://www.northumbria.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/soh/seen-or-heard/.

In an emergency, or if a crime is taking place, always ring 999.