Man jailed for causing £100,000 worth of damage in Ipswich
Numerous businesses were affected across key streets in the town centre
A man who went on a destructive spree through Ipswich town centre earlier this year, causing an estimated £100,000 worth of damage to local businesses, has been sentenced.
Thomas Jeffrey, 35, of Horseman Court in Martlesham Heath, appeared before Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, 11 July. He admitted 16 counts of criminal damage in relation to an incident that took place in the early hours of Thursday, 1 May.
The charges included two counts of criminal damage valued at over £5,000 and 14 counts under £5,000. Jeffrey was initially charged with 17 offences, but one charge was later dropped following police enquiries.
Police were called at around 12:40am on 1 May after a member of the public reported a man smashing shop windows with a skateboard. Officers quickly located and arrested Jeffrey at Majors Corner.
Numerous businesses were affected across key streets in the town centre, including Princes Street, Tavern Street, Queen Street, Friars Street, Coytes Gardens, Falcon Street and Great Colman Street. Damaged premises included restaurants, cafés, retailers, a bank, an opticians, corner stores, and a charity shop.
At sentencing, Jeffrey received a two-month jail term, which was deemed served due to time spent on remand. He was also ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge.
In addition, the court found he had breached a Community Behaviour Order (CBO) issued in October 2024 for previous offences involving threatening behaviour. For this, he was fined £50, payable within six months or face five days in prison if unpaid.
A separate two-year CBO, imposed in November 2024 for criminal damage and threatening behaviour, remains in place.
PC Katelin Humphrey, the officer in charge of the case, said: “Jeffrey caused an overwhelming amount of damage to multiple premises which has had a significant financial impact on the numerous victims, and caused disruption to many people in the community.
"His actions resulted in nearly £100,000 worth of damage and show his blatant disregard for the law or for the property of others. It is only right that his level of offending is reflected in his sentence.”