Just days after embarking on a £1,000 shoplifting spree in Worthing, a notorious thief finds himself behind bars.
Linton Woolley, 35, residing without a fixed address, faced a total of 28 shoplifting charges stemming from offences committed between October 13 and December 5.
Woolley made his appearance before Crawley Magistrates’ Court on December 11, where he pleaded guilty to all counts and received an 18-week prison sentence. Additionally, he was ordered to pay £154 in restitution.
In each instance, vigilant store staff identified Woolley’s actions and promptly alerted the authorities. These successful convictions were the result of effective collaboration among the Adur & Worthing Neighbourhood Policing Team, the Business Crime team, the Worthing Response Investigation Team, and diligent retail employees.
The targeted stores included the Co-op in Test Road, Sompting; Co-op in Plaza Parade; Co-op in South Street, Lancing; Tesco Express on Goring Road; Co-op on Salvington Road; Co-op at Field Place Parade; One Stop on North Lane; and Tesco on Littlehampton Road in Worthing. Woolley’s stolen loot encompassed an array of items, from meat, cheese, and dishwasher tablets to baby milk and wine.
PC Jamie Sanderson, of the Adur, Worthing and Horsham Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Woolley is well known for his previous history of shoplifting in the area.
“Our relentless pursuit of our most prolific offenders has resulted in yet another one receiving a custodial sentence, offering some respite for our business community who have suffered loss at the hands of persistent offenders.
“Many of these are now behind bars, which has reduced offending during the festive period when the retail world would usually see a spike in acquisitive crime.”
