A serial burglar has been jailed after he smashed his way into a supermarket and stole cash from a charity box and booze.
Tristram Francis, 42, of Felpham Road, Bognor, was jailed for eight months by Crawley magistrates after he pleaded guilty to burglary and going equipped to burgle.
Francis stole several bottles of alcohol including three bottles of Captain Morgan rum, a Bell’s whisky, a Famous Grouse and nine other bottles of Scotch worth £327 in total.
Jeremy King, prosecuting, said that Francis also stole two charity collection boxes but it was not known how much money they contained.
Mr King said that Francis broke into the Co-op in The Parade, Pagham. He was picked up by the police a short distance away in Aldwick Road, Aldwick,
Sussex Police said: “A prolific burglar has been jailed after admitting his latest offences in Bognor.
“Tristram Francis entered a Co-op store in Pagham to steal alcohol and charity collection boxes containing cash.
“He smashed his way into the front of the shop, then left the area.
“But officers from Bognor attended the store and identified him on CCTV footage and he was arrested soon after.
“The 42-year-old was charged with two business burglaries and one count of going equipped after officers found him in possession of a hammer, crowbar, Stanley knife and a screwdriver.
“Francis, of Felpham Road, Bognor, was in breach of a suspended sentence for similar offences.
“He appeared before Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Monday 28 April where he admitted the three charges and was jailed for a total of eight months.
“The court was told how the theft was reported at 2am on Saturday 26 April after an alarm sounded at the Co-op store.
“Officers attended the store and viewed CCTV footage.
“They located Francis near by, still wearing the same clothes as those in the CCTV footage.”
Chief Inspector William Keating-Jones, the district police commander, said: “We understand the impact that crime and anti-social behaviour have in our communities including in Bognor town centre.
“We are stepping up our high-visibility patrols in Bognor and working closely with businesses and partner agencies to tackle these problems and to prevent new offences being committed.
“I am pleased that the quick action of our officers ensured we were able to arrest Francis and bring him into custody.
“We welcome the custodial sentence imposed and we continue to encourage anyone impacted by crime and anti-social behaviour to report it to us.”
