Eastbourne’s Infamous Duo Caged for Mass Shoplifting Spree
Two notorious shoplifters have finally been locked up for raiding Eastbourne shops to the tune of over £5,000 in stolen goods.
Parnaby and Fitzgerald’s Crime Spree
Lee Parnaby, 32, and Leander Fitzgerald, 30, both from Udimore Road, Udimore, hit an array of stores across Eastbourne. Their targets included multiple Co-op branches at Albert Parade, Cornfield Road, Milfoil Drive, and Framfield Way. They also struck at Sainsbury’s, The Beacon, Tesco on Seaside Road, and Savers on Terminus Road—raiding repeatedly over several months.
Parnaby was charged with 26 thefts between April 2024 and October 2024. Fitzgerald faced 18 shoplifting charges from August 2023 to October 2024.
Justice Served at Brighton Magistrates’ Court
Both pleaded guilty on October 4 at Brighton Magistrates’ Court. Each was handed 26 weeks behind bars, a sentence reflecting their relentless offending and the heavy toll on local businesses.
“Persistent shoplifting will be met with firm legal consequences,” local officials warned following the sentencing.
Warning Shot to Other Thieves
The case sends a clear message to would-be shoplifters: Eastbourne’s authorities are cracking down hard. Business owners hope the jail time handed down will stop thieves in their tracks and bring peace of mind back to the high street.
