Thief jailed after ignoring chance to reform

A thief who continued offending despite being spared jailed to receive drug treatment has been jailed.

Aaron Cliffe, 28, was arrested on 6 November last year for the theft of two gift sets from Boots, in Queensgate shopping centre, Peterborough, earlier that day, and the theft of a jumper from H&M, also in Queensgate, two days prior.

He was charged and appeared at court the following day, but was given a deferred sentence until February to give him the opportunity attend drug rehabilitation.

Cliffe, of no fixed address, continued offending and carried out a further two thefts – from Fatface, in Queensgate, on 25 November, and from Superdrug, in Queensgate, on 3 December.

He was arrested again on 15 December in Eastfield Road, Eastfield, Peterborough, and charged with the two thefts and the assault of a member of the public in Wheel Yard, Peterborough city centre, on 3 December.

Cliffe was jailed for six months at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (12 February) and ordered to pay £194.99 in compensation - £40 to Fatface, £127 to Superdrug, and £27.99 to H&M.

PC Kershaw, who investigated, said: “Cliffe’s decision to continue offending shows his blatant disregard for those impacted by his actions.

“I would like to encourage the businesses impacted by retail crime to continue reporting any incidents to us so we can identify those causing the issues and put them before the courts.”