A 43-year-old man has been jailed for one year and four months for a number of shoplifting incidents and assaults on shop staff.

Stefan Frederick Falzon of Outram Road in Southsea pleaded guilty to five offences of theft from a shop and five assaults.

On Sunday, December 22, 2024, Falzon assaulted three members of staff at the Tesco Express on Warsash Road while attempting to steal items.

He also assaulted a member of staff and stole items from the Co-Op store on the same road on the same day. No one was seriously hurt. Falzon stole more than £650 of stock from the three stores.

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Additionally, on three consecutive days from Saturday, December 14, 2024, Falzon took a bag into the Spar shop on St James’ Road in Southsea and filled it with laundry products and confectionery before leaving without paying. When he was challenged, he assaulted a staff member and made threats.

Sgt Lee Pymont from Portsmouth’s Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Targeting shoplifters continues to be a major priority in the city and we are committed to getting justice for the businesses and employees that are affected.

“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. For businesses, it can cause unbelievable financial damage, and for retail workers, it can often mean having to face abuse and violence from the offenders.

“Shoplifting will not be tolerated by our Neighbourhood Policing Teams across Hampshire, and results like this demonstrate that offenders will be pursued and dealt with robustly."