Two former employees of The Range in Salisbury have been sentenced for their roles in a calculated nine-month spree of thefts, which saw them steal thousands of pounds worth of goods from the store between May 2023 and January 2024.
Liam Snook, 34, of Blackfriars Way, and Sarah Brooks, 34, of Coronation Road, were sentenced at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on April 7 after being found guilty of 74 separate thefts, resulting in a combined estimated loss of over £8,000 to the retailer.
How the Theft Operation Unfolded
Snook, who worked as a sales manager, and Brooks, a shop assistant who joined the company in April 2023, coordinated their thefts primarily on days they shared lifts to work. According to police, a conversation during one of their drives sparked the operation, leading to regular, targeted thefts every Monday and Thursday.
The pair would wait until other employees had left for the day, then re-enter the store to steal items — a direct breach of store policy which prohibits staff from locking up alone or returning inside after closing.
Suspicion and Discovery
Their scheme was eventually uncovered by a diligent new employee, who noticed irregularities in Snook’s and Brooks’ closing routines. The pair were finally caught in the act on January 29, 2024, by The Range’s area loss prevention manager. Their employment was suspended the following day.
Some of the losses were later recovered through deductions from their final paycheques.
Sentencing Details
- Liam Snook received:
- Nine months imprisonment, suspended for two years
- 150 hours of unpaid work
- 15 rehabilitation activity days
- £2,866 compensation
- £272 in court costs
- Sarah Brooks was given:
- A community order
- 167 hours of unpaid work
- £2,866 compensation
- £199 in court costs
Police Condemn ‘Calculated’ Crime
Local Crime Investigator Ange Dowsett praised the employee who reported the suspicious behaviour and condemned the actions of Snook and Brooks:
“This was a calculated, high-value series of thefts during which Snook and Brooks abused their trusted positions as employees to steal thousands of pounds worth of goods.
Their criminality was motivated, lengthy, and without remorse, and the CCTV footage shows a jubilant, planned mood when the pair were carrying out the theft.
I would like to thank the reporting employee, whose critical thinking and diligence led to the successful prosecution of these offenders.”
Ongoing Reminder for Employers
Wiltshire Police are reminding employers to remain vigilant and enforce internal security policies. Businesses are also encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the police.
This case stands as a stark reminder of how internal theft can be just as damaging as external criminal activity — and how employee diligence can play a key role in preventing long-term losses.
