Glum face of Coventry shoplifter behind mini crimewave revealed

Thomas Johnstone admitted ten counts of shoplifting in Warwick, Leamington, Rugby and Binley Woods.
-Credit: (Image: Warwickshire Police)


A Coventry shoplifter stole more than £1,700 worth of food and booze during a mini crimewave. Thomas Johnstone admitted ten counts of shoplifting in Warwick, Leamington, Rugby and Binley Woods.

But the 37-year-old of The Lindfield was behind another spate of crimes. He admitted to two counts of assaulting shop workers, one count of attempting to cause criminal damage to a shop in Leamington and one count of causing criminal damage while in custody.

He also held his hands up to one count of attempted theft from a shop in Binley Woods, one count of failing to answer bail and one count of failing to provide a test for the presence of class A drugs.

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Warwickshire Police said that Johnstone was first arrested on August 6 after being spotted stealing 12 bottles of wine from a shop in Cubbington. He was arrested again on September 11 after he had failed to answer his bail.

After admitting the string of charges, he appeared at Leamington Magistrates’ Court and was jailed for 30 weeks.

Sergeant Ben James-Pemberton, who is is part of a team who regularly carry out plain clothed patrols targeting shoplifters, said Johnstone was prolific.

"As can be seen the case of Johnstone, shoplifting not only impacts the businesses financially, but can also lead to staff being subjected to violence," Sgt James-Pemberton said. "We will not tolerate this and will continue to work with local businesses to tackle the problem."

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