Chichester shoplifter jailed for four years after 17 thefts across city

Mwiya Kamutumwa, 25, was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court after admitting 17 shop thefts and 13 breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order.

Chichester serial shoplifter receives four-year custodial sentence

A 25-year-old man from Chichester has been jailed for four years after admitting a string of thefts from shops across the city, hellorayo.co.uk reports.

Mwiya Kamutumwa, also known as Kush, of West Broyle, Chichester, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on 15 April, where he pleaded guilty to 17 shop thefts, 13 breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order, burglary other than a dwelling, and obstructing a police officer in the execution of their duty.

Kamutumwa had been identified as a prolific offender under Sussex Police's Operation Apprentice. Among his targets were Co-op stores, One Stop, TK Maxx, Waitrose, and Marks and Spencer at Portfield Retail Park.

The offences spanned several months. In October last year he stole clothes and a backpack from the British Heart Foundation charity shop. Between February and March this year he committed 14 further shop thefts and breached a Criminal Behaviour Order on nine occasions.

His targets during that period included the Co-op in Spitalfield Lane, visited three times, where he took meat, fish, soft drinks, cake and biscuits. He also targeted the Co-op in East Street on three occasions, taking Prosecco, chocolate and washing detergent, and entered the One Stop in St Paul's Road three times, removing milkshake, beer and Prosecco. Additional thefts were admitted at Waitrose in Via Ravenna and TK Maxx in East Street.

District Commander Chief Inspector Adam McCaig said after sentencing: "Kamutumwa is a prolific offender who has shown no regard for the impact his offences have had on staff and our communities. So I am pleased he is serving a custodial sentence."

McCaig added that tackling shoplifting remained a priority for Sussex Police. "We understand the impact retail crime can have on businesses, staff and the wider community," he said. "While recent reporting does not indicate a significant increase in shoplifting, we recognise that any incident can have a real impact and will always be taken seriously."

The chief inspector said the force continued to work alongside local retailers and partner agencies to support crime prevention, and encouraged businesses and members of the public to report incidents online or by calling 101.

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)