A prolific shoplifter has been jailed over his latest offences in Crawley.

Jason O’Dwyer admitted five new shop thefts and three breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order in the town centre.

The 39-year-old took items worth nearly £1,000 from Peacocks, TK Maxx, a BP Petrol station and the Co-op.

He was stopped by a Police Community Support Officer and shop security and arrested.

At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 1st May he admitted five shop thefts and three breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order.

O’Dwyer, a British national of The Ridges, Guildford, was jailed for one year.

The court was told how the shoplifter has 35 convictions for 64 previous offences, including 32 theft offences.

The most recent were three shop thefts for which he was convicted in February.

But on 5 February he entered TK Maxx and stole a coat worth £60, then on 19 March he entered an M&S and BP Petrol Station at Faygate and stole items worth £357.

On 22 and 23 April he stole items from Peacocks in Crawley worth £516.

He was arrested on 29 April at the Co-op store in Langley Green, where he was remanded to court.

Speaking after the case, Crawley District Commander Chief Inspector Steven Turner said: “Officers are working hard to tackle shoplifting in Crawley, and through Operation Apprentice we are identifying the most prolific offenders.

“We understand the impact retail crime has for our community and for shop workers, which is why we are determined to catch criminals.

“I am pleased that by working with partners, O’Dwyer was caught and is now serving a custodial sentence.”

The court ordered O’Dwyer to pay compensation for all the items stolen. A new Criminal Behaviour Order was granted with further conditions and requirements until April 2031.

It prohibits O’Dwyer from remaining on the premises of any shop or store in Sussex if asked to leave by security, it prohibits his entry to London Gatwick Airport unless he has a valid ticket for travel, and it prohibits his entry into all Marks and Spencer, John Lewis At Home, Waitrose, Dunelm, Superdry, Peacocks, Sainsbury’s, Co-Op, TK Maxx and HMV stores across West Sussex as well as The Barn in Billingshurst. In addition prohibits him entering the town of Crawley, West Sussex

The boss of a West Sussex firm behind more than half-a-million spam texts a day has been banned as a company director.

Leanne Richardson from Horsham, ran ESL Consultancy Services Ltd, which hired another business to send the messages to customers.

The 44-year-old’s company promoted high-interest loans through the messages – sending over 500,000 a day from September 2022 to December 2023, nearly prompting 38,000 complaints.

Her ban started on Tuesday.

Horley High Street will be closed to through traffic for about five months for roadworks, Surrey Highways says.

The works from 8 June will involve the repaving of the High Street and the resurfacing of Albert Road as part of a £3m project.

The resurfacing on Albert Road is expected to take approximately three weeks, and it will then reopen to delivery vehicles only.

Surrey police are appealing for the public’s help to find the owner of these pieces of jewellery, which we believe were likely stolen between 19 and 24 April.

At this stage, it’s not known where these items have come from but they could be from Weybridge or anywhere across Surrey and surrounding counties.

If you recognise this jewellery, or know someone who has been a victim of a burglary – please contact us quoting PR/45260047438.

Photo Credit: David Green

As the soaring temperatures continue to rise West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service are asking people to stay vigilant when you’re out enjoying the countryside.

The risk of wildfires is increased at this time of year, and people are being urged to avoid any activities which could trigger them.

The advice is to properly dispose of cigarettes and to only have fires or barbecues in designated safe areas, while disposable barbecues should be avoided altogether.