A man has been jailed after admitting to 14 shop thefts across Southend and Westcliff.
David Lindner, 30, of the Clarence Road area of Southend, was arrested on 13 April after being recognised by a Southend Neighbourhood Policing Team officer while in Warrior Square. He was known to be wanted in connection with multiple shop thefts.
Lindner appeared before Southend Magistrates’ Court the following day, where he pleaded guilty to all 14 thefts committed between 8 December 2024 and 1 April 2025. He also admitted to possession of an offensive weapon – a knife – during an incident on 8 December.
Magistrates sentenced Lindner to four months in prison. He was also ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge, and the court directed that the knife be destroyed.
Lindner’s conviction comes as Essex Police continue to tackle shoplifting offences across the county. Between 1 January and 13 April this year, 437 people were arrested on suspicion of shop theft, with 294 charged with a combined total of 890 shoplifting offences. Additionally, 26 individuals were charged with assaulting retail workers during the same period.
An Essex Police spokesperson said the force remains committed to supporting local businesses and ensuring offenders face justice.
