Man who stole from Boots three times in a day jailed

A "prolific shoplifter" who stole three times from the same shop in one day has been jailed for nine months.

Ryan Burgess "brazenly stole stock" worth more than £350 from Boots in Newton-le-Willows three time in one day. He then returned a week later to steal a further £250 worth of stock, Merseyside Police said.

He was also charged with stealing £10 worth of confectionery from Spar on High Street on 26 October, and cleaning products valued at £84 from B&M store on 7 July.

Burgess, of Maritime Close in Newton-le-Willows, was charged with 11 counts of theft from a shop on 20 November and sentenced to nine months in prison at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The court heard that Burgess targeted the store on Market Street three times on 3 November, where he first stole £191 worth of shampoo and conditioner at 11:15 GMT.

Fifteen minutes later the 30-year-old returned and stole shampoo valued at £121 before coming back again at 16:20 GMT to steal £50 worth of shampoo.

Burgess then returned to Boots to steal £116 and £120 worth of hair products on 13 and 14 November.

Neighbourhood Insp Stacey Pope said Burgess "brazenly stole stock."

"Business crime from retailers is not a victimless crime, and the ripple effect can be devastating where staff can lose their jobs if the store closes due to constantly losing stock," she said.

"This also impacts shoppers as retailers raise their prices to make up for the loss of goods stolen."

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