Prolific Northampton meat thief sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment

A repeat shoplifter who stole almost £1,200 of meat, alcohol and other goods from a Northampton store has been jailed for 16 months.

Jonathan Crouch, aged 48, of no fixed address, targeted the Marks & Spencer store at Sixfields on nine occasions during May and June this year, including repeated thefts on some days.

When he was arrested by Response officers from Northamptonshire Police on June 12 he went on to cause criminal damage to a custody cell by throwing food and drink all over the walls and ceiling.

Crouch was subsequently charged with nine counts of theft from a shop and one of criminal damage, and appeared at Northampton Crown Court on August 1 where he entered guilty pleas.

He was sentenced at the same hearing to a total of 16 months’ imprisonment, which included a period imposed for the breach of a previously imposed suspended sentence.

Speaking afterwards, PC Beth Burnham of the Force’s Retail Crime Team, said: “Jonathan Crouch is a well-known and prolific shoplifter who repeatedly targeted this store, stealing meat and steaks he told us he then sold to buy drugs.

“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. It causes fear and distress to store staff, costs businesses money and results in higher prices for everyone else.

“We take every opportunity to gather the necessary evidence to bring offenders before the courts and this custodial sentence demonstrates it is taken just as seriously there as well.”