Serial Shoplifter Caught After Stealing £500 of Goods in Nottingham
Stuart Askey, 39, from Clifton, has been locked up for 16 weeks after swiping more than £500 worth of items from multiple shops across Nottingham.
Shop Raids Caught on Camera
Askey brazenly walked into supermarkets and stores in Clifton and The Meadows, stuffing meat, cheese, laundry products, and household goods into his clothes. Ring doorbell footage also caught him opening a van door in Hockerwood, Clifton on April 9.
Caught and Convicted After Police Crackdown
Neighbourhood officers PC Jane Gibson and Mel Starmer launched a thorough investigation, working closely with local businesses. Their efforts led to Askey’s arrest on May 2.
The next day, he pleaded guilty to 14 shop thefts and one charge of interfering with a motor vehicle at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court.
Police Praise Teamwork in Tackling Persistent Offender
Inspector Steve Dalby said: “To secure this number of charges involved a huge amount of painstaking police work. I thank all officers involved, especially PCs Jane Gibson and Mel Starmer.”
“Askey is a prolific shoplifter who’s caused serious issues for local shops. I’m pleased the court has handed down a custodial sentence. This sends a clear message that shoplifting is taken very seriously.”
“We work closely with businesses to keep our community shops safe places to visit and spend money. A small group of persistent offenders like Askey commit most shop thefts, and targeting them is already showing promising results.”
Offences Spanning March to April 2023
- Six thefts at Farm Foods, Southchurch Drive—meat, cheese, and food stashed in jumper or coat.
- Four visits to Wilko, Southchurch Drive—laundry products stolen.
- Two thefts at Co-op, Bridgeway Centre—laundry and household items taken.
- Theft at Heron Foods, Southchurch Drive—more laundry products pinched.
