Serial Shoplifter Jailed for Theft Spree at Midlands Tesco
A persistent shoplifter, believed to be responsible for more than a third of all thefts from a major Tesco Extra branch in the Midlands, has been sentenced to nearly a year in prison. Scott Warner, aged 42, has been handed a 40-week jail term following a series of theft offences that targeted multiple stores in Bedworth, Warwickshire.
Extensive Theft Campaign Uncovered
Warner was found guilty of 41 separate theft offences on Wednesday, January 28, after launching a thieving spree across three shops in the Bedworth area. Remarkably, authorities suspect he was responsible for 34.3 per cent of all thefts from the Tesco Extra store on Leicester Street, twisting the supermarket's well-known advertising slogan from 'Every Little Helps' to 'Every Little [Thief] Helps Themselves'.
Previous Offences and New Sentence
This is not Warner's first encounter with the justice system for shop theft. He previously received a 16-week jail term last year for seven counts of shop theft in Bedworth, which meant he spent time behind bars over the Christmas period. His latest sentence reflects the persistent nature of his offending behaviour.
Strict Criminal Behaviour Order Imposed
In addition to the prison sentence, Warner has been given a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order that carries significant restrictions. The order prevents him from entering any Tesco store or the other shops he targeted during his crime spree. Furthermore, he is specifically barred from wearing face coverings in any of Bedworth town centre's retail establishments. This CBO comes into force immediately upon his release from prison.
Police Statement on Persistent Offending
Warwickshire Police emphasised the seriousness of such orders, stating: "Criminal behaviour orders, when breached, can lead to significant prison sentences, with a maximum of five years. They are an effective tool to target persistent reoffending, particularly for crimes like shop theft."
Targeted Crime Reduction Measures
The Tesco supermarket in Bedworth falls within a hotspot area for Operation Resolve and has been subject to a targeted crime reduction plan throughout 2025. Previous measures have included the installation of Safer Pods at the store, which during a six-week trial period resulted in a 50 per cent reduction in recorded crime. These initiatives form part of broader efforts to combat retail theft in the region.
