‘Prolific’ thief jailed for crime spree in Hemel Hempstead

A man from Hemel Hempstead has been jailed for almost a year for a string of thefts. 

Aaron Broome, 26, of Turners Hill, was arrested by officers in the town on Thursday, March 21.

He was subsequently charged with 12 offences and appeared at Hatfield Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, March 23 where he pleaded guilty to all 12 charges. 

They are:

• Criminal damage to lockers on March 20 at Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre, Park Road, Hemel Hempstead. 
• Theft of items from a locker on March 20 at Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre. 
• Theft of a handbag from a locker on March 20 at Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre.  
• Theft from Nisa in Crabtree Lane, Hemel Hempstead, on February 24. A bottle of Jack Daniels was stolen.
• Theft of a motor vehicle (a red Alfa Romeo) from the car park at Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre on February 24.
• Criminal damage to a locker at Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre on February 24.
• Theft of a camcorder and soundbar from a home in Hemel Hempstead on February 22.
• Theft from Nisa in Crabtree Lane on February 11. A bottle of Southern Comfort was stolen.
• Theft from Nisa in Crabtree Lane on February 10. A bottle of Southern Comfort was stolen. 
• Theft from Nisa in Crabtree Lane on January 27. A bottle of Jim Beam was stolen. 
• Theft from Nisa in Crabtree Lane on January 15. A bottle of Jack Daniels was stolen. 
• Theft from Nisa in Crabtree Lane on January 11. A bottle of Jack Daniels was stolen.
• Failing to appear for theft at St Albans Magistrates court on 28th January 2019. 

Broome committed the offences while subject to a suspended sentence for theft. 

On Saturday he was jailed for a total of 50 weeks and ordered to pay compensation of £126.99 to the Nisa store and a further £469.99 in compensation to two other victims. 

Dacorum Neighbourhood Team, Inspector Jeff Scott, said: “Broome is a prolific offender who repeatedly targeted a shop in Hemel Hempstead, brazenly stealing alcohol. 

“He then went on to target lockers at Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre, even stealing the car keys from one before going outside the gym and taking the victim’s car. 

“Before being arrested Broome had been wanted by police for a short time. He was detained and arrested by a plain clothed Scorpion officer who spotted him in Queensway before arresting him in nearby Fig Tree Hill. 

“I hope that Broome spends his time in prison accessing the help and support available to help him to turn his life around so that he can become a useful member of society when he is released.”