A prolific thief from Exeter has been jailed after shoplifting more than £1,500 of products from supermarkets, TK Maxx and John Lewis.
Ben Dennis Williams, pictured here, aged 23 of Chestnut Avenue, Wonford, Exeter, was jailed for nine months after admitting 22 counts of shop theft when he appeared at Exeter Magistrates’ Court at the end of June.
The court heard how Williams targeted shops in Exeter and South Devon, stealing bottles of wine, meat, coffee, laundry products, baby clothes, energy drinks, cosmetic products and chocolate.
Police said Williams’s shoplifting spree ran for three months from the end of March until mid-June this year, at stores including Co-op in Teignmouth and Dawlish, Tesco in Torquay and Newton Abbot, Costcutter Dawlish, Sainsbury’s Newton Abbot, and John Lewis and TK Maxx in Exeter.
PC Ange Comber, from Devon and Cornwall Police South Devon crime management investigation team, said: “This was a sustained period of offending which had a real impact on a number of businesses and their staff.
“By working closely with retailers and gathering evidence across multiple locations, we were able to demonstrate the full extent of Williams’ offending to the court.”
She added: “I hope this outcome reassures businesses that we take shop theft seriously and will pursue offenders through the courts.”
Among the haul stolen by Ben Williams was meat, coffee, chocolate, wine and energy drinks. Photo: D&C Police.
The court heard Williams committed 17 offences of shoplifting at Co-op stores in Dawlish and Teignmouth.
Police said because the stores had signed up to the Devon, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Business Crime Reduction Partnership, created by UK Partners Against Crime (UKPAC), the businesses could work together with police and other retailers to build up robust evidence to expose Williams shoplifting.
Sergeant Chris Chaloner, at the force’s business and crime prevention unit, said: “By sharing information, evidence, and intelligence collectively, we are able to identify patterns of offending more quickly and take robust action against repeat offenders.
“Partnership working doesn’t just support investigations – it helps prevent crime in the first place, protects staff, and strengthens the resilience of our local business community.”
He added: “We recognise the challenges retailers are facing, and we are committed to supporting them by encouraging collaboration and making it easier to report incidents and share vital information.”
