The Stockport shoplifter who went back to crime 31 times while on the run

A "brazen" shoplifter who failed to appear in court went on another prolific crime spree while on the run. Thomas Knight, 33, even struck at the same stores he had targeted before.

He was first arrested and charged in relation to 11 shop thefts on Berrycroft Lane, Bredbury, which took place between June and mid September this year. But after pleading guilty to those offences he failed to turn up for sentencing at court twice in September and earlier this month.

Meantime he carried on offending at the same location and at shops in Compstall Road in Romiley committing another 31 crimes. He was arrested again after a special operation in Bredbury and this time remanded in custody.

On Saturday, Knight, of Conway Towers, Brinnington, was jailed for 12 months at Manchester City Magistrates after pleading guilty to the latest 31 offences. The items stolen by Knight were mainly alcohol which across his persistent offending came to a total of nearly £1,500.

In a statement Greater Manchester Police said: "Shoplifting and retail crime is an issue that we are committed to tackling and various resources and plans have been put in place as officers continue to produce good work across the force. This year, achievements have included a significant increase in arrests and solved, positive outcomes, as well as continuing engagement with business communities to share best practice and learning

"Shoplifting not only impacts the businesses targeted, and can instil fear in communities, particularly shop workers on duty and other customers. This is why we continue to proactively target offenders. Our commitment to shoplifting has seen an uplift of 50 percent in arrests in the last year, as well as 3,500 more solved incidents."

PC Adam Burgess from our Stockport Neighbourhood team said; “Throughout the summer Knight had a blatant disregard to anyone and especially the businesses and shop workers he consistently targeted. Once we became aware of his offending, we made sure we collated the evidence needed to send a strong message to others that shoplifting is a serious crime that will not be tolerated.

“We would encourage members of the community to continue to report incidents to us and as part of our plans our patrols are in place to provide that reassurance and visible deterrent to people who are intent on committing crime.”