Local News

A prolific shop thief has been jailed just two days after he violently assaulted a member of staff in Sittingbourne earlier this week.

Jack Wiley attacked an employee at the Co-op covenience store in Murston after he was caught stealing alcohol and food.

Wiley, 28, entered the Church Road premises at around 3pm on Monday (22nd January) before walking out with bottles of lager and wine, as well as a sandwich. He was followed outside by a member of staff and Wiley responded by challenging him to try and retrieve the stolen items. When the victim successfully snatched back the wine, Wiley started punching him repeatedly in the head. 

The assault continued, even after a member of public intervened to help try and restrain Wiley. He chased the victim back into the shop and after dragging him to the floor punched and kicked him before fleeing on foot. Officers attended and Wiley, of Whiting Crescent, Faversham was quickly located and arrested following a search of the nearby area.

He was charged with assault by beating and two counts of theft. The charges included a previous shoplifting offence on Friday 15th December 2023, when he stole cleaning products from a Poundland, in Faversham.

Earlier today (Wednesday 24th January), Wiley was remanded to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty. He was immediately sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, with an additional seven days added for breaching a previous suspended sentence. Wiley was ordered to pay £200 in compensation as well as £85 costs.

Inspector Barry Carr, of the Swale Victim Based Crime Team,told SFM News: "Prolific criminals like Wiley relentlessly target retailers with the sole intention of stealing high value items to either consume or sell. Shoplifting is never a victimless crime and it can have a drastic effect on businesses, and there will be no let-up in our efforts to swiftly arrest and prosecute those who see stealing as part of a criminal lifestyle."

A prolific local shoplifter has been returned to jail after pleading guilty to several thefts.

Lisa Willet was serving a suspended prison sentence when she chose to commit further shoplifting offences in Sittingbourne.

On Monday 1st January 2024, she stole laundry products from a store in Gadby Road. Willet returned to the same business a fortnight later where she left without paying for a can of drink. She stole further laundry items from Morrisons in Milton High Street on Sunday 7 January. Two days later Willet took a large quantity of steaks and meat joints from Aldi in East Street without attempting to pay.

Officers were called to Lidl in West Street on Wednesday 17th January, where she had been detained by staff after attempting to steal a number of joints of beef. Willet, of Frederick Street, Sittingbourne was arrested and later charged by investigators from the Swale Victim Based Crime Team with five thefts.

The 44-year-old appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Friday (19th January) and pleaded guilty. She was immediately sentenced to 260 days' imprisonment which included the activation of her suspended sentence.

Inspector Vanessa Foster, of the Swale Community Safety Unit, told SFM News: "Our investigators have ensured another thief who targets our local shops has been charged and sent to prison. We will also be applying to the court for a strict criminal behaviour order banning her from entering a number of businesses when she is released."

Flood alert area: coastal areas of the Isle of Sheppey and along the North Kent Coast from Kemsley to Seasalter, including Sheerness, Minster, Queenborough, Leysdown on Sea, Sittingbourne and Faversham.

Detectives investigating burglaries at two businesses in Kent have charged a suspect.

Liam Scott, aged 24 and of Lower Road in Faversham, has been charged with two counts of burglary, making off without payment, theft of a motor vehicle and driving without insurance.

As part of the investigation a warrant was carried out at a property in Faversham on the Friday (5th January) morning where Mr Scott was arrested.

He was previously arrested by officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, after a vehicle was stolen from an address in Flood Lane, Faversham, in the early hours of Saturday 30th December 2023.

After this incident the stolen vehicle was used in a burglary at a business premises in Faversham Road, Seasalter, where alcohol and a cigarette dispensing machine were reported stolen.

After this the same vehicle was seen at a petrol station on A299 Thanet Way, where the driver put fuel into the vehicle before driving off without paying.

The same vehicle was then used in a burglary at the Co-op convenience store on London Road in Teynham, where tills were reported stolen.

Mr Scott is due to appear before Folkestone Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Saturday 6th January).

Anyone with any information about any of the incidents, or who has relevant CCTV or dashcam footage which they are yet to make police aware of, is urged to call 01795 419119 quoting 46/228353/23.

Alternatively they can contact Crimestoppers, FREE and anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111 or by using their online form at:- https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/pre-form .