Folkestone Shoplifter Banged Up for Racking Up Thousands in Damage
A serial shoplifter has been locked up for a year after swiping more than £1,200 worth of goods and wrecking a supermarket in Folkestone.
Darren Griffin’s Crime Spree: Clothes, Tech and Booze
Darren Griffin, 27, nicked clothing, electrical gear, and booze in a string of thefts from November 2019 to January 2020. He hit shops across Folkestone’s Bouverie Place Shopping Centre, scoffing a £250 TV, £350 of sportswear, and a £120 jacket.
- £330 of ink cartridges stolen from Bouverie Road West store
- Six bottles of booze worth £214 swiped from a local supermarket
Smashing Exit and Stolen £1,000 Bike
During one shoplift escape, Griffin smashed a supermarket’s glass door, causing thousands of pounds in damage. His crime wave peaked on 7 January 2020, when he fleeced a man of a £1,000 bike in Dover Road.
Assault and Cannabis Add to His Troubles
Besides theft, Griffin was sentenced for assault after intimidating a woman by pressing his head against hers and hurling abuse in 1 Gardens on 6 December 2019. Police also caught him with cannabis when they arrested him on 15 January 2020.
Police Locked Him Up After Crushing CCTV Evidence
Griffin, who has no fixed address, admitted six counts of shoplifting, criminal damage, assault, bike theft, and possession of cannabis in court on 16 January 2020. He was sentenced to 12 months in jail at Medway Magistrates.
“Our team in Folkestone worked hard to build a strong case against Griffin and give the town’s businesses a break from his offending,” said Chief Inspector Nick Sparkes.
“Shoplifting impacts staff, customers, and the wider community. We continue to work with stores to protect them from repeat offenders like Griffin.”
