A man has been handed a prison sentence after pleading guilty to five counts of shoplifting.

Luke Betts, aged 35, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to five counts of shoplifting in a hearing at Slough Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, January 31.

Between December 3 and 6 2023, Betts entered a business on Scafell Road and stole a large quantity of household goods. He was arrested and charged with these offences on December 6.

Betts then breached his court imposed conditions to not attend the same store and shoplifted between December 19 and 22.

He was arrested and charged on December 22 and was kept on remand to court.

Investigating officer PC Abdullah Rafie, of the neighbourhood policing team for Slough, said: “Betts is a prolific offender and I am pleased he has been rightly imprisoned.

“Shoplifting is far from being a victimless crime and businesses suffer great financial loss from such offending. In the case for which Betts has been convicted, he has caused the store not just financial loss, but also caused huge inconvenience and anguish to the store and their staff, who were targeted on a regular basis.

“I hope this conviction will send a message to others who feel it’s acceptable to take what is not theirs to reconsider their actions, as we will pursue you, charge you and put you before the courts to face justice."