Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site
We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.
You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.
This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.
A prolific shoplifter has been caught and brought to justice after pleading guilty to a series of shoplifting offences in Dorking and Leatherhead.
Joseph Hawkins, 32 (28/03/1991), of Falkland Road, Dorking, pleaded guilty to eight offences of theft/attempted theft from a shop and was sentenced to a four-week custodial sentence and a £239 fine at Guildford Magistrates Court, yesterday (Wednesday, 7 February).
The offences were:
Hawkins was arrested after being identified on caught on CCTV footage from a number of the stores he targeted, where he could clearly be seen walking into the store, taking items from the shelf, placing them in a bag and then walking out. On some occasions, he would pretend to pay at the self-service machine but then would leave without paying.
Mole Valley Borough Commander, Inspector James Green, said: “It is reassuring to the local community that such a prolific offender has been caught and dealt with through the courts. Hawkins has targeted local supermarkets across Dorking and Leatherhead repeatedly over the last few months and we know how much distress and inconvenience that this causes for shop workers. Shoplifting will not be tolerated, and we hope that the outcome in court yesterday shows that we are committed to tackling it and that we will continue to work with our local businesses to tackle this crime type.”
If you or your business is victim of a crime, please report it to us via webchat on our website. Always call 999 in an emergency.