Prolific Darlington shoplifter who repeatedly targeted businesses is jailed

A prolific shoplifter who helped himself to hundreds of pounds worth of goods from Darlington businesses has been jailed.

Officers were called on Monday (October 19) after Jonathan Watson stole more than £120 worth of meat and laundry products from the Co-op in Cockerton.

The 39-year-old left the store and got into the passenger seat of a car, which was immediately stopped by officers and Watson was arrested and brought into police custody.

Enquiries revealed Watson was responsible for several other shoplifting incidents which had taken place in the town over recent weeks.

Items regularly stolen by him included meat, beer, coffee, butter, Pot Noodles, laundry items, plug in air fresheners, and other household items.

He was charged with four counts of shoplifting and failing to a sample for a mandatory drug test following his arrest and remanded in custody to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court yesterday (October 20).

He admitted the offences, which put him in breach of a suspended sentence imposed just five days earlier at the same court for a string of similar offences.

Activating the suspended sentence order, magistrates jailed him for 24 weeks.

Inspector David Littlefair, from Darlington Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “Persistent offenders like Watson, who repeatedly target local businesses causing financial loss and disruption to our community, should expect to be brought before the courts.

“Despite being given previous opportunities to change his behaviour through a suspended sentence order, Watson chose to continue committing offences, showing a complete disregard for the law and the misery he inflicts on our community.

“Thanks to the work of officers and retail staff in gathering evidence, Watson was identified, arrested, and brought to justice."