A prolific shoplifter who targeted businesses in Eastbourne Old Town has been handed a prison sentence.
Adam Summerford brazenly stole items from Co-op, Sainsbury’s and The Post Office on multiple occasions from November 2022 until January this year.
The 33-year-old, of no fixed address, was clearly identified on CCTV and could be named by staff members after every occasion.
He was subsequently arrested, charged with 11 counts of theft and remanded in custody.
Summerford, who was already on a suspended sentence for theft, appeared before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Monday 20 March and was sentenced to 32 weeks’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to all 11 charges at an earlier hearing.
He was also ordered to pay £515 compensation.
Police Community Support Officer Julian Williams, from the Eastbourne Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:
“Summerford is well-known for his previous offences of shoplifting in the area and could therefore be easily identified by staff who reported the incidents to us.
“This led to him being arrested by officers, and he was remanded in custody to prevent him from re-offending and causing further harm to our communities.
“I welcome this custodial sentence, which shows Sussex Police will not tolerate business crime, and we will continue to work alongside the business community to protect them from harm and bring perpetrators to justice.”
Sussex Police has its own Business Crime Team (BCT) dedicated to tackling business crime and providing support to businesses in our area.
The team supports the business community by working closely with partners such as the Business Crime Reduction Partnership and Safer Sussex Business Partnership (SSBP), businesses themselves, and customers to bring intelligence together across the county.
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne, who launched the SSBP in February 2020, said:
“Shoplifting is never a victimless crime and should not be dismissed as ‘low-level’ because the negative impact it has and the harm it causes is high.
“It’s clear that this prolific offender, who caused major distress to shop staff and their customers, thought he would continually get away with it and go unchallenged.
“A prison sentence is a great result and is another example of the effective work taking place between retail stores, Sussex Police and our courts.
“I know it will be very welcome news to those living, working and visiting Eastbourne, as the high streets become a safer place for everyone.”
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