A man has been jailed for more than two years after carrying out a series of shoplifting offences in Potters Bar, where he stole more than £3,000 worth of goods.
Aidan McGuiness, aged 43, of Willow Way in Potters Bar, pleaded guilty at St Albans Magistrates’ Court on 6 April to eight charges of theft from shops in the town between February and March this year and possession of a small quantity of cannabis.
He was charged with:
- Theft of salmon and steak worth more than £300 from BP Connect on February 7.
- Theft of prosecco and salmon worth more than £100 from BP Connect on February 16.
- Theft of cosmetics worth more than £500 from Superdrug on February 23.
- Theft of cosmetics worth more than £200 from Superdrug on February 24.
- Theft of cosmetics worth more than £1,500 from Superdrug on March 12.
- Theft of alcohol and steak from Tesco (value unknown) on March 14.
- Theft of salmon worth almost £200 from BP Connect on March 14.
- Theft from BP Connect on March 21 (unknown items and value).
McGuiness appeared at St Albans Crown Court on Thursday, August 11 where he asked the judge to take a further nine commercial burglaries into consideration. He was jailed for 25 months and ordered to pay a £156 victim surcharge.
Detective Constable Erik Gale from the Hertsmere Local Crime Unit said: “McGuiness is a prolific offender who stole thousands of pounds worth of goods from shops in Potters Bar as well as breaking into businesses, stealing their hard earned money and causing damage to their property to gain entry.
“With support from our Safer Neighbourhood Team officers we were able to gather enough evidence to charge McGuiness with eight shoplifting offences as well as securing details of a further nine commercial burglary offences, which the judge took into consideration when sentencing McGuiness.
“I hope this sends a clear message that shoplifting will not be tolerated in Potters Bar and we are working closely with businesses to identify, arrest and bring offenders before the courts.”
0 Comments