Man jailed for shoplifting and abusing staff in Aldershot
Brett Worger sentenced for theft and verbal abuse
A 41-year-old man has been sentenced to 17 weeks in jail for shoplifting and verbally abusing a staff member in Aldershot.
Brett Worger, from Tongham Road, stole coffee and alcohol worth £60 during four incidents at a Co-op store on Lower Farnham Road throughout February.
During one of these incidents, Worger directed abusive language at a store employee.
He pleaded guilty at Basingstoke Magistrates Court to four counts of theft and using threatening behaviour.
PC Lucy McWhinnie from Aldershot NPT emphasised the seriousness with which shoplifting and abuse towards staff are taken.
"We take all reports of shoplifting and abuse against staff extremely seriously and I hope this result reassures the local community that we will do all we can to put offenders before the courts," PC McWhinnie said.
She encouraged businesses to report such crimes, stressing the impact of shoplifting on businesses and the wider public.
"We want to be clear – shoplifting will not be tolerated in Aldershot. The actions of shoplifters make a huge difference to businesses as they have to recover the costs which have been lost. This means they will have to typically increase prices, which has a huge impact on the wider public," PC McWhinnie said.
Businesses and staff members are urged to report incidents by calling 101 or online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website.