Jail for thief who stole more than £1,000 of alcohol from March Sainsbury’s

A man who stole more than £1,000 worth of alcohol from a Fenland supermarket has been jailed.

Lee Joseph, 52, targeted Sainsbury’s in March, six times between February 20 and March 10.

On one occasion, Joseph was confronted by staff who recovered a bottle of vodka, but he had stashed two other bottles in his trousers.

He was arrested in Springfield Avenue, March, on March 23, in connection with three thefts from Co-op, in Badgeney Road, March, between March 20 and March 23. On him were four packets of salmon stolen from the Co-op less than an hour before.

Joseph, of Grounds Avenue, March, was jailed for 32 weeks and ordered to pay £394.50 in compensation after admitting nine thefts at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Monday, March 31.

PC Emma Smith, who investigated, said: “Since the start of last year, Joseph has been convicted of 18 shoplifting offences, most of which have resulted in time in prison.

“Retail crime can have a significant impact on businesses, and we will continue to arrest those causing the issues and put them before the courts.”