Jail for Waitrose Twyford shoplifter who returned to thieving 'within hours' of court hearing

A persistent shoplifter in Twyford has been jailed after he was caught stealing just hours after avoiding prison time for his offending.

Muhammad Chaudhry, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to eight counts of thieving alcohol from Waitrose in the village over three months, at Reading Magistrates’ Court on February 11.  

The 25-year old was given a suspended sentence at a hearing the day before, but soon found himself back in court after he was arrested for returning to the scene of his crimes and stealing.

Investigating officer, PC Dzhuli Bogdanova from the Wokingham Neighbourhood policing team said Chaudhry’s crimes had caused ‘significant harm to retailers and the local community’.

The thief was arrested by a neighbourhood police officer at Twyford train station on Monday, February 9 this year, having stolen from Waitrose.

He was taken into custody and was handed a 16-week suspended sentence for 12 months when he appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court the next day.

But Chaudhry was not deterred by the sentence and, police said, he returned to Waitrose ‘within hours’ to commit further thieving.

He was detained by detectives in the store and later arrested by police officers. He was taken into custody again and was given a six-month sentence in court the following morning.

PC Bogdanova said: “Muhammad Chaudhry has demonstrated a pattern of behaviour that causes significant harm to retailers and the local community.

“Even after being sentenced for multiple shoplifting offences, he returned to offending straight away.

“Our officers acted swiftly to arrest him again, and we will not hesitate to pursue further action against those who repeatedly ignore the law."