Prolific shop thief sentenced over latest offences

A prolific thief who targeted shops in Burgess Hill and Crowborough has been sentenced.

Mark Vine committed shop thefts at stores in the towns between October and December.

His thefts amounted to hundreds of pounds worth of goods taken.

Staff at stores were abused by the 48-year-old, who admitted 19 charges when he appeared for sentencing at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 8 December.

Vine, of no fixed address, was jailed for 18 weeks.

The court was told how he was rough-sleeping in the Mid Sussex area, and entered shops in Burgess Hill.

Vine entered the Waitrose store in Crowborough where he stole meat and alcoholic spirits on five occasions in October.

He also entered the stores including Boots, Bodel Bros Ltd, Lidl, and Waitrose in Burgess Hill.

Sergeant Ryan Oakley from Mid Sussex Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Vine repeatedly entered stores and stole items without payment across the Mid Sussex and Crowborough areas.

“On one occasion he assaulted a retail worker who had challenged him, which was completely unacceptable.

“Abuse and assault should not be seen as part of the job for retail workers, and we were determined to locate and arrest Vine as a priority because of his offences.

“We work hard alongside partner agencies and retail staff to tackle shoplifting and crime, and we understand the impact it has for staff, customers and in our communities.

“We are pleased that he has been taken off our streets and is now serving a significant custodial sentence.”

Vine admitted one count of common assault, 12 counts of theft from a shop, three counts of abstracting or using electricity without authority, and three counts of criminal damage.