M&S meat thief came back for seconds

A 30-year-old man has been handed a custodial sentence of three months and four weeks for stealing almost £100 of meat from a Telford store.

Damien Knight, of Dallamoor in Telford, was handed the sentence at Telford Magistrates Court on Wednesday 18 February after pleading guilty to two counts of theft. 

The court was told how Knight stole £44 worth of meat from Marks & Spencer in Telford town centre on Wednesday 11 February. He then returned to the same store four days later and stole a further £48 worth of meat. 

Knight was swiftly arrested for the offences and later charged with two counts of theft.

Sergeant Rich Jones, from Telford’s town centre team, said: “Shoplifting has a real impact on local businesses and the wider community, and we take these offences very seriously. 

“Knight repeatedly targeted the same store, and this sentence reflects the consequences of that behaviour. 

“Our officers acted quickly to identify and arrest him, and I hope this result reassures both retailers and the public that we will continue to take firm action against those who commit these offences.”