Three “menaces to shops in Doncaster” jailed

Robert Kerry, Kristopher Becker, and Jack Allchurch have been put behind bars for a combined total of 22-and-a-half months following a spree of thefts targeting small convenience stores and supermarkets.

Kerry (32), of King Edward Road, Balby, was jailed for eight months after pleading guilty to four shoplifting offences.

He stole £470 worth of goods, including wine, cheese and sweets, from a One Stop store in Balby and Hexthorpe on four separate occasions in September and October 2023.

Becker (43) of Woodlands Avenue, stole more than £576 worth of products from a Co-op and a Heron Foods store in Woodlands, as well as a separate Co-op supermarket in Cantley.

Allchurch (28), of Green House Road, was jailed for seven months after admitting eight offences of shoplifting which saw him raid the shelves of One Stop shops in Hyde Park, Balby and Hexthorpe in August, September and October of this year.

He stole various items across his spree, including chocolate, body spray, cans of energy drinks and blocks of cheese.

In total, he managed to steal £830 from One Stop before he was charged last Wednesday (October 11), taking items including 29 KitKats, 37 Dairy Milk bars, Rustlers burgers and 19 Galaxy chocolate bars.

He was jailed for seven-and-a-half months after pleading guilty to six theft offences.

Kerry, Becker, and Allchurch all pleaded guilty to the offences at Doncaster Magistrates' Court earlier this month.

PC Hazel Smith, from Doncaster's dedicated retail crime team, said: "These three offenders have all been prolific in their offending, especially when it comes to shoplifting.

"Time and time again, they stole from local businesses trying to earn a honest living without thinking of the damaging repercussions this would have on hard-working owners and retail staff.

"These offences are not victimless and they have a huge impact on local companies and members of the local community who work in these stores.

"They shouldn't have to come to work and deal with thieves who are stealing whatever they can get their hands on.

"We just will not tolerate it and that is why we are backing the National Safer Business Action Week to bring more shoplifters to justice and protect businesses from harm."

PC Smith added: "I am pleased this trio of shoplifters are behind bars and can no longer be a menace to shops in Doncaster.

"I also want to remind members of the public that anybody buying stolen items from thieves is also liable for prosecution for handling stolen goods."

Kerry was sentenced on Wednesday, October 11 Becker on Wednesday, October 4 and Allchurch on Thursday, October, 12.