Serial Shoplifter Snapped: Crawley’s Most Brazen Thief Jailed for Over Three Years
Relentless Shoplifting Spree Shuts Down by Jail
Damien O’Hare, 48, a notorious shoplifter with no fixed address, has finally landed behind bars. He was sentenced to three years and three months in prison at Lewes Crown Court on 14 August after admitting to a string of offences across Crawley.
26 Shoplifting Charges and Counting
Between March and June 2024, O’Hare racked up 26 shoplifting charges, targeting mainly the Co-op in Dorsten Square, Bewbush, plus a slew of other local stores. On top of that, he breached 22 Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) and faced a charge for using threatening language.
Brazen Thefts and Threats Against Staff
O’Hare showed no shame, brazenly walking into shops, grabbing goods off shelves, and walking out without paying—often right under staff noses. When staff challenged him, he didn’t hold back, even threatening to violently assault a female employee.
Targeting the Same Stores Time and Again
His cheek didn’t stop at repeat shoplifting; O’Hare even targeted some stores multiple times in one day. Every theft at the Co-op broke a specific court order banning him from all Co-op stores in Sussex.
O’Hare pleaded guilty to all offences at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 10 June, sealing his fate. Finally, justice has caught up with Crawley’s prolific pilferer.
