A prolific shoplifter who stole Easter eggs, coffee pots, and pet food has been jailed.
Daniel Jones, 38, received an 18-month prison sentence at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday.
Jones, from Spruce Avenue, Colchester, admitted 33 thefts and breached a two-year criminal behaviour order 31 times, banning him from all Essex Co-op stores.
He was arrested on February 6 after officers “found him cowering inside the base of a divan bed”, police said.
Officers visited his home as part of Operation Valuable – an initiative to increase police visits to shops which are being targeted by prolific shoplifters.
A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “It’s a mix of high-visibility and plain-clothes patrols, plus engagement with shop staff to identify suspects and obtain CCTV footage and witness statements prior to arresting and charging them.”
The court heard that, altogether, the total loss to the four stores Jones targeted was £2,926.73.
Jones’ string of thefts began with £187 of Easter eggs and cakes from the Co-op store in Spa Road, Witham, on April 12 2025 and ended with him stealing £123 of coffee and chilled meats from the Co-op in Greenstead, Colchester, on January 31.
On January 13, Jones stole chilled meats from the M&S store at the BP filling station in Ipswich Road.
He also stole coffee pots, pet food and detergents among other household items from East of England Co-op stores.
Jones was jailed for a total of 12 months for the thefts and criminal behaviour order breaches and ordered to also serve six months of a jail term imposed for previous offences, which had originally been suspended.
Jones was also ordered to pay a £187 victim surcharge.
