Prolific shoplifter is jailed

Back to jail for thief who didn't learn his lesson last time

NEWBURY shopkeepers will get a break from the actions of a prolific shoplifter who has been jailed again after he failed to reform.

Paul Kamchakan Fee, of Redfield Court, Newbury, admitted a string of offences when he appeared before town magistrates last Thursday, August 11.

He pleaded guilty to stealing from Newbury stores including clothing worth £18 from Sports Direct on August 2; meat worth £50 from Budgens on July 22; perfume worth £97.96 from TK Maxx on July 29 and goods worth £70 from Boots on July 2.

He also admitted stealing jeans worth £145 from Next in Calcot on August 10 and several offences of failing to surrender to bail.

The 32-year-old appeared in custody from the cells and Jo Belsey, prosecuting, explained that he was arrested after failing to attend previous court appointments.

Jamie Renuka, defending, explained that her client had missed appointments because of a domestic crisis involving his child.

She added: “This left him understandably distraught. He could not face court on that day.”

Miss Renuka pointed out that her client had been diagnosed with depression which had made it difficult for him to turn his life around.

After reading his lengthy list of previous convictions, magistrates sentenced Mr Fee to six months' imprisonment.

Mr Fee committed his latest offences not long after being released from prison.

In November last year he was also sentenced to six months in jail for a string of shoplifting offences in Newbury and Thatcham involving goods worth more than £1,500.