James Mitchell receives 51 weeks in prison for 20 charges of shop theft

Items stolen during a spree of shoplifting during August and September 2024 included multiple vacuum cleaners and an air fryer.

James Mitchell, 34 of no fixed abode, has been sentenced after 20 incidents of shop theft in Nuneaton and Bedworth.

There was also an additional charge made against Mitchell for failing to provide a sample for a class A drug test while in custody.

Mitchell will be required to pay £187 as a victims’ surcharge.

In the list of charges include the theft of candles, air fresheners, washing powder, meats, cheeses, and assorted other items.

Highlights in terms of value included an air fryer valued at £200 stolen from a supermarket on Leicester Road in Bedworth, £447 worth of vacuum cleaners from a store on Newtown Road in Nuneaton over three occasions, and £250 worth of washing powder and food from a supermarket chain in Nuneaton.

In total, Mitchell is believed to have stolen over £2,095 worth of items over these 20 incidents in August and September this year.

Mitchell’s case was investigated by the Investigations Standards and Outcomes (ISO) team who often operate in plain clothes around Warwickshire shops.

Investigating officer PC Roddy said “We managed to pull together evidence for a substantial catalogue of shop thefts that James Mitchell was responsible for with the assistance of local businesses and the Safer Neighbourhood Team.

“Mitchell has been a prolific offender, and we hope 51 weeks in prison will give him the time and opportunities he needs to re-evaluate where his life is going, as well as to give our borough’s businesses a break from his behaviour.”