Lee Moise, 38, spared jail after assaulting a Tesco worker during a shoplifting incident in Leytonstone, East London.
Police arrested him. He faced charges for other thefts too. Nine more thefts were added to his record. He also faced a charge for assaulting a Tesco worker. Another theft occurred at The Co-op on Homerton High Street.
He went to court. Thames Magistrates’ Court held his hearing January 9. The court sentenced him to one year in jail, but that sentence was suspended for 18 months.
Inspector Mohammed Uddin spoke about the case. His team is the Neighbourhood Policing Team in Homerton. He said shoplifting hurts local businesses. He stressed their commitment to catching offenders. They focus on crimes important to Londoners.
Uddin said Safer Neighbourhood Teams work with shops, including both big and small stores. They try to prevent more crime. Teams investigate more and make more arrests. They work with the council and their CCTV to identify shoplifters using the cameras.
They also work with homeless outreach teams and drug support groups. These groups help people who shoplift, as often they steal to fund their drug habits. Uddin said these efforts help communities across London.
Tesco said their staff deserve to feel safe. They thanked the police and their own security team. Tesco works closely with the police to share data. They want to keep stores safe for staff and shoppers, and the Leytonstone Express is one store they protect.