He repeatedly targeted Co-Ops and a Tesco store
Jamie Doyle(Image: Avon and Somerset Police)
A man who stole thousands of pounds worth of tobacco from businesses in Bristol has been jailed.
Jamie Doyle, 36, was sentenced on Monday, November 17, at Bristol Crown Court after pleading guilty to one count of robbery, four counts of commercial burglary and two counts of shoplifting.
The court heard how Doyle, of no fixed address, violently pushed a staff member in the Co-Op on Two Mile Hill Road at around 8.10am on October 9.
He then stole thousands of pounds worth of tobacco from the shop.
Between October 9-13, he repeated his theft at the Two Mile Hill Road store, as well as targeting a Tesco in Bell Hill Road and another Co-Op in Church Road.
In total, Avon and Somerset Police said he has stolen nearly £5,000 worth of tobacco, more than £60 worth of groceries and a £30 bottle of alcohol.
He was arrested on October 13 after stealing more than £1,300 of tobacco from the Co-Op in Church Road, St Georges.
Doyle has been jailed for three years and nine months for the crimes he committed last month.
Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Chris Wright said: “Shoplifting and theft is a crime that impacts everyone. For businesses, it is a significant financial loss.
“For staff members, it can be shocking and scary. For communities, it can have both financial and personal implications.
“In this case, a member of staff was harmed in Doyle’s efforts to get his tobacco fix, the alarm and disruption causing unnecessary stress to someone just trying to go about their daily job.
“Genuine customers have to suffer the burden of shop theft, with businesses being forced to hike their product prices to afford the losses caused by people like Doyle.
“New systems have recently been introduced to make it easier for retailers to share CCTV and other evidence with police. The new process supports effective reporting of shoplifting, allowing our officers to crack down on the crime and seek justice swiftly and effectively.”