A prolific shoplifter has been jailed for two and a half years and banned from dozens of stores.
Aron Croft, 35, went on a shoplifting spree across Sussex and Kent last year, Brighton Crown Court was told.
Croft, formerly of Western Road, St Leonards, was sentenced by Judge Jeremy Gold last Thursday (18 April).
Sussex Police said: “Croft pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary, two counts of shoplifting and one count of using threatening behaviour to cause distress.”
The admitted the offences at a hearing last September including the theft of spirits worth £400 from a branch of the Co-op in Cranbrook, Kent.
Police said: “He entered the Co-op again on Saturday 5 August 2023, this time in Fairlight Road, Hastings, and stole a number food items worth £46.75.
“On Sunday 13 August 2023, Croft trespassed and went behind the kiosk at the Co-op in Seabourne Road, Bexhill. He stole tobacco products worth more than £300.
“Croft returned to the Co-op in Bexhill and stole further tobacco products on Sunday 20 August worth £2,285.
“It was heard that when he approached the kiosk, he threatened a member of staff and said: ‘You’re dead. I’m dying soon. I can be dangerous.’”
This caused the shop worker distress, the court was told.
Croft has now been jailed and police said: “When appearing for sentencing, he was also handed a five-year ‘criminal behaviour order’.
“This order prohibits him from entering any retail establishment he has previously committed offences in or has been banned from, as well has wearing anything which obscures his head and face in a retail premises.
“If he is asked to leave by a store worker, he has to comply and must not act in an anti-social manner.”
Inspector Richard Breeze said: “This is a fantastic result for a prolific offender who caused a lot of distress to the community.
“Retail workers should be able to undertake their job without fear and the force is committed to tackling criminals.
“Croft was a known suspect in the East Sussex area, and I am delighted how well the team built the case file and put him before the courts.”
