Man jailed after stealing more than £600 worth of meat from Overton Co-op

A man has been jailed for 29 weeks after stealing more than £600 worth of meat from the Co-op in Overton during a series of thefts.

John Wagstaff, 44, of Sunnymead in Oakley, stole meat worth a total of £633 from the Co-op on Winchester Street across five separate incidents in July, August and September.

Wagstaff was also found to have breached a criminal behaviour order imposed on him in March this year.

He was arrested and charged with five counts of theft from a shop and five counts of breaching a criminal behaviour order.

Wagstaff pleaded guilty to all ten offences when he appeared before Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on September 24. He was sentenced to 29 weeks in prison.

PC Ross Holdsworth, from the Basingstoke Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team, said shoplifting would not be tolerated in the Basingstoke area.

He said Wagstaff’s actions had a significant impact on businesses, staff and the wider community, adding that he had been swiftly arrested, charged and brought before the courts after breaching his criminal behaviour order.

Police are encouraging shop owners and staff to continue reporting incidents of shoplifting.

Reports can be made by calling 101 or through the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary website. Anyone witnessing a crime in progress or facing an emergency should call 999.