Dudley shop thief jailed after string of offences at two stores
A shop thief who targeted two stores in Brierley Hill will spend more than four months behind bars.
Darren Skidmore was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison at Dudley Magistrates Court on January 26 after pleading guilty to four counts of burglary other than a dwelling with intent to steal and six counts of shop theft.
The court had heard how Skidmore, of Dudley Road in Brierley Hill, had targeted a supermarket on Pearson Street and a supermarket on Sandringham Way multiple times between January 5 and January 23, with nearly £650 worth of products stolen.
West Midlands Police confirmed the 52-year-old was arrested on January 23 at the Merry Hill Centre.
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "A thief who targeted two stores in Brierley Hill has been jailed for more than four months.
"In just over two weeks, Darren Skidmore, aged 52, targeted a supermarket on Pearson Street and a supermarket on Sandringham Way multiple times, causing misery to workers.
"On January 5, Skidmore entered the rear loading bay of a supermarket into the warehouse which is restricted to the public.
"He then stole nearly £50 of items including toiletries and champagne and fled the scene.
"His crime spree continued until January 23 when officers arrested him in the Merry Hill centre.
"In total Skidmore had stolen more than £650 worth of products from the two supermarkets.
"Skidmore, of Dudley Road, Brierley Hill was charged with four counts of burglary other than a dwelling with intent to steal and six counts of shop theft.
"He was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison following a hearing at Dudley Magistrates Court.
"If you see anything suspicious in your area, please report it to us by calling 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.
"We’re catching hundreds more suspected shop thieves in the West Midlands as we continue to act against retail crime across the region."
