Persistent South Tyneside shoplifter jailed

A persistent shoplifter targeting stores in Northumbria is now behind bars after stealing from a South Tyneside store just weeks after being handed a suspended sentence for the same offences.

As informed by Northumbria Police on Thursday (13), Michael Wright, 35, visited the Co-op store on Mortimer Road in South Shields last Thursday (6) and took laundry products without paying.

Less than a month earlier, Wright was given a 14-week suspended sentence by South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court for stealing chicken from the same Co-op store, and toiletries from the Sainsbury’s on Prince Edward Road.

After being quickly identified as responsible, Wright, of Lumley Avenue, South Shields, was arrested on Sunday (9) in connection with his latest spree of offending. The South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Monday (10) was sentenced him to 22 weeks imprisonment.

Following his court appearance, Constable Thubron, of South Shields Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), said, “Wright is a repeat thief who has flagrantly disregarded his previous suspended sentence he was given only weeks prior.

“Wright has a vast history of this type of offending – and his brazen attitude towards the orders imposed on him by a court shows his lack of regard for anyone his criminality affects.

“Crime sprees such as these do nothing except leave businesses out of pocket, and I’m pleased he’s now behind bars to prevent him causing more disorder in the local community.

“As a Force, we will continue to tackle this type of criminality.”

Rapid rise in retail crime continues to impact stores across the country with multiple industry as well as government reports showing the similar record levels of theft, abuse and violence against shop workers.

Meanwhile in Essex, two prolific shoplifters who stole almost £20,000 worth of goods have been sentenced after being caught with stolen items in their car.

Thomas McDonagh, 21, of Warren Crescent, Headington, Oxford, was jailed for 16 months after admitting to eight counts of theft across Essex in December 2024 and January 2025. His accomplice, Martin Stokes, 23, of Aylesbury Street, Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, received a 16-week jail term, suspended for 18 months, and must complete 80 hours of unpaid work.

The duo were stopped by police on 19 January while driving on the A12. Officers had linked them to multiple thefts from Boots and Next in the Stane Park retail area in Stanway, Colchester.

Upon stopping their Ford Focus, police found the boot packed with stolen goods, swiftly connecting them to 11 separate shoplifting incidents across the county, including in Chelmer Village, Chelmsford.