EXCLUSIVE: SHOPLIFTER STOLE £19,000 WORTH OF GOODS INCLUDING £15,000 JEWELLERY HAUL

A Ryde man has admitted stealing more than £19,000 worth of goods from shops across the Isle of Wight, including stealing nearly £15,000 of jewellery from a locally owned store.

43-year-old Jamie Hewitt, of Green Street, appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court earlier this week (Tuesday) having previously pleaded guilty to 9 counts of theft from a shop and possession of heroin.

The offences were:

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• Possession of heroin on 11th April
• Theft from M&S on 6th May – steaks
• Theft from Sainsbury’s on 18th July – £360 worth of meat
• Theft from Tesco on 3rd August – £953.48 worth of meat, alcohol and pet goods
• Theft from Morrisons on 7th September – £200 worth of alcohol
• Theft from Cineworld on 10th September – £305.89 worth of Pick’n’Mix
• Theft from The Co-op on 22nd October – £66.25 worth of meat
• Theft from Sainsbury’s on 24th October – £266.70 worth of meat, fresh food and beauty products
• Theft from Sainsbury’s on 24th October – £130.75 worth of meat and fresh food
• Theft from Sainsbury’s on 29th October – £204.49 worth of meat and clothing

A further 3 theft charges were put to Hewitt, all of which he admitted:

• Theft from Tesco Express on 6th October – £8.10 worth of goods
• Theft from Island Jewellers on Ryde High Street on 11th September – approximately £15,000 worth of jewellery
• Theft from Boots on 20th December – £1,500 worth of perfume and fragrances

The court heard that during the jewellery incident, Hewitt entered the store with another individual and asked to try on a necklace. When staff presented the item, he grabbed a number of items from the display before attempting to flee.

A struggle followed, during which a member of the public intervened and recovered both the display board and necklace. The items, valued at around £15,000, were returned.

Prosecuting, Giles Fletcher, told the court that Hewitt’s offending took place over a sustained period, including while on bail, and that he had failed to attend several previous hearings. It was agreed by both prosecution and defence that the case had crossed the custody threshold.

The court was told Hewitt has 29 previous convictions, with 39 theft or kindred offences on his record.

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Defending, Nick Muir said his client had promised probation he would stop stealing and explained that he had been suffering from low self-esteem and using drugs at the time of the offences.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction and committed the case to the Isle of Wight Crown Court for sentencing, stating their powers were insufficient.

Hewitt is due to appear at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on 15th May, but the case may be moved to a mainland court due to Hewitt being a wheelchair user.