Jail for burglar and shoplifter armed with knife

A burglar and shop thief who armed himself with a knife has been jailed after a robust police response to two incidents.

Officers were called to House of Fraser, in Nottingham’s Victoria Centre, on 13 February 2023 after reports an offender had been spotted in the department store attempting to steal items.

Jason Holden, aged 42, had fled the shopping centre with goods totalling around £500 but was chased down by determined response officers.

After gaining a description of the thief from security staff at the store, officers pursued Holden and caught up with him 10 minutes later in The Arboretum where he was arrested.

After placing him in handcuffs, officers searched Holden and found a knife in his pocket.

While on court bail, Holden’s offending continued when he stole a car from an elderly victim after breaking into her Bestwood home and taking the keys on 7 July 2023.

He was caught within seven minutes by police in the city centre after being observed driving the wrong way down a one-way road.

Holden, of Bobbers Mill Road, Nottingham, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Monday (14 August) after pleading guilty to burglary, driving without a licence or insurance, taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent and theft of a motor vehicle.

He also admitted possession of a knife in a public place, shop theft and failing to surrender to custody. He was jailed for a total of two years and four months.

Detective Inspector Andy Hall, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “I hope members of the public are reassured by our swift response to both these incidents.

“We are fully aware of how damaging shoplifting can be for businesses and continue to work with stores and other partners to target those responsible.

“Around 80 per cent of all shop thefts are committed by a very small number of persistent offenders. By targeting resources at these prolific criminals we are seeing some very promising results across the force.

“Holden’s offending was even more serious because of his reckless decision to carry a knife. We continue to tackle knife crime by bringing those who carry them on our streets to justice and taking weapons out of our communities.

“While going through the courts for these offences, Holden targeted an elderly victim, broke into her home and stole her car. Thankfully officers were able to catch up with him quickly before he harmed himself or an innocent road user.

“He has shown a complete contempt for the law and I am pleased he has now been put behind bars.

“Burglary is an invasive and deeply unpleasant crime which can have a serious impact on victims. No one deserves to have their home ransacked by a criminal and that is why we have teams of dedicated detectives investigating these offences.”