A prolific shoplifter has been handed a prison sentence following a chaotic attempt to steal hundreds of Cadbury Creme Eggs during a sustained crime spree across Gateshead.
Five-Week Crime Spree Targets Local Businesses
Callum Little, aged 27 and of no fixed address, embarked on a five-and-a-half-week shoplifting campaign that targeted various shops and supermarkets in the Gateshead area of Tyne and Wear. Between the New Year period and mid-February, Little stole a range of items including sweets, meat, dairy products, and other goods from retail outlets in the Wrekenton, Low Fell, and Beacon Lough districts.
CCTV Captures Bungled Chocolate Heist
The most notable incident occurred when Little was caught on CCTV brazenly stealing an entire display stand of Cadbury Creme Eggs from a petrol station shop. Footage showed him walking across the forecourt, grabbing the stand of chocolate eggs—manufactured by the Birmingham-based confectionery giant—which was positioned near the door, and then sprinting away while spilling hundreds of the treats onto the ground in a chaotic escape.
This failed heist, described as a "Creme Egg catastrophe," highlighted the audacious nature of his offending. Little was subsequently apprehended by police officers on Friday, February 13, and faced charges related to his extensive shoplifting activities.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
At Newcastle Magistrates’ Court, Little admitted to all 18 counts of shoplifting brought against him. The magistrates sentenced him to 36 weeks in prison, recognizing the persistent and impactful nature of his crimes over the several-week period.
Police Response and Community Impact
Sergeant Andrew Hyde, of the Gateshead East Neighbourhood Policing Team, commented on the case, stating, "This is a fantastic result for our team. I’d also like to express my thanks to the businesses and members of the public who provided information about the reports so that we could progress our investigation."
He emphasized the serious consequences of shoplifting, noting, "Shoplifting isn’t a victimless crime—it causes real financial pressure for local businesses and creates distress for the staff who have to deal with repeated incidents. Little is a prolific shoplifter and showed a clear pattern of offending over several weeks, and we are pleased that the courts have recognized the impact this had on our communities."
The sentencing serves as a reminder of the legal repercussions for such offenses and the collaborative efforts between law enforcement and the community to address retail crime.
