Redditch Serial Shoplifter Receives Nine-Month Prison Sentence for Multiple Offences
A persistent shoplifter from Redditch has been handed a nine-month jail term after being convicted of a series of thefts, along with possession of a knife and Class A drugs. Chad Feeney, aged 35 and of no fixed abode, was sentenced swiftly following his arrest, highlighting a robust response to repeat offending in the community.
Eleven-Day Crime Spree Leads to Arrest and Conviction
Feeney targeted multiple shops in Redditch over an 11-day period, committing five separate thefts between January 3 and 15. His criminal activities culminated in his arrest on Saturday, January 17, with justice served promptly when he was sentenced on Monday, January 19. In addition to the shoplifting charges, Feeney was found guilty of carrying a knife in a public place and possessing cocaine, a Class A drug.
Detailed Sentencing and Previous Offences Activated
The court imposed a six-week prison sentence for each of the five shoplifting offences, to run concurrently. However, Feeney received a more substantial 16-week term for the knife possession charge, which was ordered to run consecutively to the shoplifting sentences. Furthermore, his latest convictions triggered the activation of a previously suspended prison sentence for shoplifting, originally imposed for prior offences. This resulted in his total jail time being extended from 22 weeks to 40 weeks, equivalent to nine months. Feeney was also mandated to pay a victim surcharge of £187 related to the thefts.
Police Response and Community Impact
West Mercia Police have described Feeney as a nuisance shoplifter and expressed satisfaction with the extended custodial sentence. PC James Hall of the Redditch Safer Neighbourhood Team commented on the case, stating: We are pleased to get a custodial sentence for Feeney, who was not only causing harm to our shop owners but also found in possession of drugs and a knife, which have no place in our community. He emphasised the ongoing efforts to combat shoplifting, noting its broader effects on retail prices, insurance premiums, and community safety through increased fear of crime.
This case underscores the legal consequences for repeat offenders and the collaborative work between law enforcement and local businesses to address retail crime in Redditch.
