Shoplifter Caught Red-Handed Stealing Meat from Brighton Co-op
Michael Murray, 33, from Brighton, has landed behind bars for a string of brazen thefts. He pleaded guilty to 33 counts of theft and flouting a community protection notice after repeatedly targeting local stores.
Serial Shoplifter Raids Co-op and Hollister
Murray’s crime spree took place mainly at the Co-op on Whitehawk Road, where he committed 31 thefts between May and December last year. The other two offences were at the Hollister store in Churchill Square. What’s worse? He often returned multiple times a day, stealing openly in front of staff without trying to hide his actions.
“On one chilling occasion, he was caught on CCTV walking in with an empty bag and filling it with meat products right before a shopworker’s eyes,” said police sources.
When confronted, Murray didn’t hold back. He regularly became aggressive, verbally abusing and sometimes physically attacking staff. Despite a Community Protection Order banning him from the Co-op after previous incidents, Murray ignored the restrictions and kept stealing.
16 Months Behind Bars and Tough New Bans
At Lewes Crown Court on February 25, Murray was sentenced to 16 months in jail. He also received a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order that bans him from all Co-op stores across Brighton and Hove, the ASDA superstore at Brighton Marina, and Churchill Square shopping centre.
Chief Inspector Andy Westwood praised the teamwork behind the arrest and conviction:
“This success is thanks to solid collaboration between neighbourhood policing, response teams, detectives, the Business Crime Team, and our business partners. Shoplifting not only hits businesses financially but also puts shopworkers in tough, intimidating situations, especially when the thefts are as bold as Murray’s.”
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Backs Businesses
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne added:
“This is a brilliant example of how our Business Crime Team tackles repeat offenders who steal, abuse staff, and scare customers. Brazen criminals like Murray won’t be tolerated in Sussex. We’re committed to giving businesses confidence that the police will act decisively and keep our streets safe.”
She highlighted the Safer Sussex Business Partnership, which brings officers and local companies together to improve responses to shoplifting and worker abuse. “This prosecution shows we’re making real progress,” she said.
