A shoplifting gang from Essex has been sentenced after stealing £145,000 worth of goods from Tesco stores in a “blatant” two-year crime spree.
Five members of the gang, who brazenly walked out of stores with full shopping trolleys without paying, received their sentences at Guildford Crown Court yesterday.
The group committed 86 thefts across 14 police force areas in the south east of England between January 2022 and February 2024.
Two members were jailed for three years each, while three others, including ringleader Tania Patmore who admitted 73 offences, received suspended sentences.
A shoplifting gang from Essex has been sentenced after stealing £145,000 worth of goods from Tesco stores in a “blatant” two-year crime spree (stock image)
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The gang’s method involved entering stores individually with trolleys, filling them with both high-value items and everyday goods like pet food and toilet roll.
They would then simply walk out without paying before returning to collect another trolley.
Prosecutor Michael Shilliday told the court: “The typical modus operandi was the suspects entered individually with trolleys, some filled the trolley, sometimes to the brim, sometimes not, with largely high value items but not exclusively.”
Police calculated the average value of goods in each trolley at £628, based on 55 trolleys that were either recovered or stopped from being taken.
Tania Patmore, 52, from Stanford-le-Hope, admitted to stealing 184 trolleys filled with goods and attempting to steal another 47.
Despite being a prolific shoplifter, she received a suspended two-year sentence after her barrister told the court she was the sole carer for her 13-year-old daughter.
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Her barrister Michael Morgan said the “brazen offending rather than sophisticated offending” was prompted by the need to pay drugs debts owed by her son.
“She wishes to apologise to Your Honour for her behaviour and says she is ashamed and disgusted with herself,” Morgan told the court.
Jason Raven, 50, from Stanford-le-Hope, was jailed for three years after admitting 60 offences involving 150 stolen trolleys and 38 attempted thefts, totalling £94,539 in goods.
James Mytum, 41, from Colchester, also received a three-year prison sentence for stealing 117 trolleys and attempting 26 more thefts, valued at nearly £72,000.
Marlie Patmore, 29, from Basildon, received a 20-month suspended sentence for stealing 21 trolleys and attempting six more thefts, worth £13,500.
Samantha Drum, 30, from East Tilbury, was given a two-year suspended sentence after admitting 42 offences involving 92 trolleys and 24 attempted thefts, valued at over £58,000.
Five members of the gang, who brazenly walked out of stores with full shopping trolleys without paying, received their sentences at Guildford Crown Court yesterday
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Circuit Judge Robert Fraser described the crime spree as “pretty blatant” and “remarkably bare-faced.”
He told the defendants: “The shoplifting at the level you were involved in caused very significant losses to the retailers affected and inevitably the costs are passed on to consumers.”
“This is not a victimless crime, people doing their weekly shopping for your activities,” the judge added.
In his sentencing, Judge Fraser reduced the prosecution’s estimated losses by 20 per cent, as the figures were based on the average trolley value rather than precise calculations.
A confiscation hearing will be held at a later date to address the proceeds of the gang’s crimes.
The sentencing of a sixth defendant in the case has been adjourned.
