Persistent thief who targeted 12 shops during spree is jailed

A prolific thief who stole hundreds of pounds worth of goods after targeting 12 shops has been locked up.

Matthew Duffield helped himself to items including chocolates, vapes, coffee, tuna, cheese, and other products during a spree of thefts carried out between 20 September 2023 and 26 January 2024.

Among the shops he targeted were Co-op stores in Netherfield, Burton Joyce, Arnold, Sneinton Dale, and West Bridgford.

The 46-year-old, of no fixed address, also stole goods from the Iceland store in Carlton Hill; Tesco filling station in Clifton; Tesco Express in Clifton Lane, Clifton; Boots in Sherwood; Future Fishing in Farndon and the Carlton filling station in Carlton Hill.

Duffield pleaded guilty to the thefts and to a charge of using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour when he entered the Tesco Express store in Oxclose Lane, Arnold, on 10 November 2023.

Staff members told police they were scared for their safety as Duffield shouted abuse at them and was threatening and aggressive towards them.

Duffield, who was arrested on 28 January 2024, appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday (29 January 2024) for sentencing. He was jailed for a total of eight months and ordered to pay £100 compensation.

Police Constable Ben King, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Persistent retail crime offenders like Duffield cause immense misery for hardworking shop staff and their customers.

“As we have repeatedly said, this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated, and we will take robust action to protect retailers and members of the public from the harm caused by thieves who cause a blight on our communities.

“As a force, we also continue to work closely with our partners to identify and tackle the root causes of such offending and to prevent re-offending.

“However, if offenders decide not to choose the right path, don’t take the available help offered to them and are persistent in their criminality, then we will turn to enforcement and put them before the courts to face justice.”