Shoplifting Kingpin Locked Up for Two Years After £5,500 Crime Spree
Thomas Amos’ £5,500 Theft Spree in Southampton
Thomas Amos, 35, with no fixed address, was slammed with a two-year prison sentence at Southampton Crown Court. Amos pleaded guilty to a series of shoplifting raids across a six-week blitz from 23 November to 6 January. His haul included luxury fragrances, clothing, electronics, and booze — all snatched from John Lewis and Boots in Southampton city centre.
- 23 Nov: Fragrances worth £209 stolen from John Lewis, WestQuay.
- 27 Nov: £300 electric toothbrush pinched from Boots, Above Bar Street.
- 28 Nov: Fragrances (£145) and gift sets (£98) taken from John Lewis and Boots.
- 30 Nov: £901 worth of fragrances lifted from John Lewis.
- 7 Dec: Clothing worth £842 swiped from John Lewis.
- 13 Dec: More clothing, £587, stolen from John Lewis.
- 16 Dec: £407 in fragrances taken from John Lewis.
- 21 Dec: £560 worth of fragrances stolen from John Lewis.
- 24 Dec: £449 worth of alcohol pinched from John Lewis.
- 4 Jan: Clothing worth £1,388 lifted from John Lewis.
Breached Restraining Order, Banned from City Centre
Amos also ignored a restraining order barring him from entering John Lewis during his crime spree. On sentencing, Southampton police secured a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) banning him from the entire shopping centre for three years.
The CBO targets persistent offenders to curb crime and antisocial behaviour. Breaking it carries a hefty penalty — up to five years behind bars.
Police Crackdown Sends Clear Warning
“Amos was one of the most prolific shoplifters in the city centre and we hope this sentence demonstrates to businesses how seriously we take shoplifting,” said PCSO Jack Kemp. “It also sends a clear message to any shoplifters out there: continue to steal and you will also end up in prison.”
“We will continue to work hard to make Southampton safer for residents and visitors. Criminal Behaviour Orders are a key weapon in this fight. Please keep reporting shoplifting and antisocial behaviour to help us build strong cases.”
