Man jailed for shoplifting

A man has been jailed for shoplifting from John Lewis in Welwyn Garden City.

Paul Clark, aged 41 and of no fixed abode in Welwyn Hatfield, appeared at St Albans Magistrates' Court yesterday (Monday 11 March). 

He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and must pay compensation of £3,376.39. He has also been issued with a Community Protection Notice.

The court heard that Clark stole perfume from the store thirteen times between December 2023 and February 2024. The estimated value was around £1500. On a further occasion he also stole from Boots in the Howard Centre.

PC Cameron Abraham, from the Welwyn Hatfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, led the case.

He said: "We take a strong stance against shoplifting and I hope this news reassures local businesses.

"As well as working hard to get offenders prosecuted, we continue to meet with businesses to help prevent and deter criminals from targeting them.

"This court result is timely as throughout March we're reinforcing our commitment to tackling retail crime.

"We're taking part in the national month of action to tackle retail crime, an initiative introduced by the National Business Crime Centre. On Friday (8 March), we hosted a crime prevention stall within John Lewis for local businesses and shopworkers to come along for advice.

"We're hosting another stall at the store on Saturday, March 23 between midday and 3pm.

"It will be an opportunity for John Lewis staff and other local business owners/retail workers to find out more about how they can keep safe from crimes such as theft and violence against shopworkers. Please do come along."