Moment brazen shoplifter ransacks Sainsbury's shelves as other shoppers stare
A brazen thief was caught on camera walking into a Sainsbury's store and helping himself to a fortune in food before police caught up with him.
Joseph Tait raided the stores in Heaton, Newcastle on numerous occasions and also helped himself to drinks and snacks. He stole £2,500 worth of goods in total. The clip shows him taking armfuls of chilled food from the fridges as shocked shoppers watch on in disgust. Shoppers and staff reported Tait to police who used CCTV to catch him stealing from the stores.
He appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court last month where he was barred from entering all 1,400 branches of Sainsbury's in the country until October 2025 as part of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO). Tait, of no fixed address, admitted four theft charges and asked for 22 more offences to be taken into consideration.
Serial shoplifter Joseph Tait has been banned from all Sainsbury's stores (Northumbria Police / SWNS)The CBO prevents Tait from entering any Sainsbury's store in the UK and he must also leave any retail premises if staff ask him to do so. The court also heard he has numerous convictions for theft, burglary and possession of drugs.
Sergeant Gary Sharpe of Northumbria Police said: "We are pleased that the CBO has been implemented and Tait is now banned from setting foot inside the shops." The force released footage showing Tait ransacking the shelves and the sergeant added: "Law-abiding members of the public including those working in these businesses should not have to endure this sort of behaviour with it impacting their day-to-day lives and these new conditions mean they will no longer have to.
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"Tait's persistent criminality has been an increasing concern to residents and businesses in the Heaton area and should he choose to ignore the conditions of the order, he risks further punishment, including a custodial sentence. We would also like to thank all of the members of the public and shop staff who assisted in our investigation which has ultimately helped to secure the granting of the CBO."
It comes as the amount of shoplifters seen by courts fell to just 12.2 per cent from almost 19 per cent in 2020. This has led to figures in the retail industry warning of a crime 'epidemic', with gangs marauding through the UK's high streets. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to crack down on shoplifting – but this week Justice Secretary Alex Chalk revealed he will change the law to limit short prison terms, which could see shoplifters and thieves dodging jail time.
Graham Wynn of the British Retail Consortium said: "Retail crime has been getting increasingly worse, with thieves becoming bolder and more aggressive. These incidents are very often the trigger to violent and abusive incidents against workers. It also costs retailers £953 million a year – money that would be better spent on reducing prices. We need the police to give retail crime greater prioritisation."
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