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Prolific thief who stole from store 12 separate times banned from city centre

Thief who stole from store 12 times banned from Brighton city centre
Thief who stole from store 12 times banned from Brighton city centre

A PROLIFIC thief who stole thousands of pounds worth of items from a store on 12 separate occasions has been banned from the city centre.

Elliot Cahill repeatedly stole items from a store in North Street, Brighton, including ten instances in May and June of this year alone.

In total, the 31-year-old stole more than £2,800 of items over a four-month period.

On each occasion, Cahill was seen by staff and on CCTV entering the store, select various items including electric diffusers, pillows and luxury gift sets and leave without paying.

During some incidents, he would leave with the items held above his head, police said.

In March, Cahill was also seen to steal cosmetics from a different store in North Street and £100 of food from a St James’s Street supermarket in two separate visits.

In May, he entered another homestore in North Street and checked the price tags of various items on a table. He returned shortly after to take some of the products, including a large mirror and a storage box worth £100.

He was charged with 16 counts of shoplifting and was found guilty of all charges.

At Lewes Crown Court, Cahill, of no fixed address, was released on bail with conditions barring him from some areas of the city centre, pending sentencing on Wednesday, August 3.

Inspector Ben Hearth, Brighton and Hove’s lead for business crime, said: “Elliot Cahill was identified as a prolific offender thanks to the collaboration between Sussex Police, businesses and our partners in the community.

“That sense of teamwork is vital to catching these repeat offenders who cause so much harm to our communities – not just in financial losses to the businesses they target, but to the shop workers who are intimidated and forced into impossible situations.

“We will continue to work alongside the business community to protect them from harm and bring perpetrators to justice.”

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: "The brazen attitude of this individual, who repeatedly stole from Brighton shops with no regard for the negative impact he was having on customers and staff, highlights why Sussex Police is working hard with businesses to prevent repeat offending.

“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime, neither is its impact low level so I’m very pleased that this individual has been found guilty.

"His conviction is a great example of how Sussex Police work with partners to deter criminals and remove prolific offenders from communities.”