A prolific shoplifter has been jailed after he smashed his way out of a supermarket in Bristol. Jeremiah Connors, of Bishopsworth, was caught on CCTV punching his way through the glass window of a door after being locked in by the shop’s staff, who suspected he was stealing. Connors, dressed in a cap, a short-sleeve t-shirt, and grey tracksuit bottoms, then climbed out of the broken panel and left the premises.
The 30-year-old was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday, September 30, for multiple shoplifting offences and criminal damage. The shoplifter admitted the offences, which took place in August and September this year, when he appeared before magistrates last month.
Connors was arrested by officers in the Bristol Neighbourhood Policing Team who were investigating a series of thefts from supermarkets.
Avon and Somerset Police said the incident in the video footage happened at Morrisons in Peterson Avenue, Hartcliffe, on September 18.
Sgt Darrell Boothroyd said: “Connors is a prolific offender whose crimes have had a significant financial impact on businesses.
“Shoplifting also negatively affects our communities, and we remain committed to identifying those responsible for shop thefts and making sure they are brought before the courts.
“I would urge anyone who witnesses shoplifting to report it to us so we can take action.”
Connors was later charged with five counts of shop theft, one count of criminal damage and one count of possession of a class A drug (crack cocaine).
He pleaded guilty to all seven offences when he appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, September 20.
Connors was handed a 12-month prison sentence last week, as well as a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order which bans him from entering several shops across the city.
