A gang of shoplifters who stole more than £130,000 worth of goods from stores across Southern England has been sentenced after a two-year-long investigation.
The gang, led by Jason Anthony Raven, 50, and James Mytum, 41, was involved in a spree of thefts across several counties, including Suffolk, Somerset, Surrey, and Cornwall. Between January 2022 and February 2024, they stole a variety of products, from toilet rolls and nappies to alcohol and cleaning supplies, which they sold at reduced prices through their criminal network.
Their operation began to unravel after a November 2023 incident at a Tesco store in Guildford, where the gang filled seven trollies worth of goods before leaving the store without paying. Police Constable Ben Marshall, who was assigned to investigate the theft, began linking this case to other similar offences across Surrey and Sussex. Using data from Tesco’s national security hub, he was able to identify connections between these crimes, leading to the discovery of a wide-ranging theft operation across 13 police force areas.
PC Marshall and his colleagues worked tirelessly, tracing the gang’s movements and building a case that spanned a two-year period. Their efforts paid off when they identified six suspects, all residing in Essex. Realizing that arresting them all simultaneously was unlikely, PC Marshall took a bold approach by sending an ultimatum to the suspects. The letter informed them they were under investigation for theft in Surrey and gave them a two-week window to come forward voluntarily, or face arrest.
The strategy worked, and a solicitor representing all six suspects contacted police to arrange interviews. PC Marshall and two colleagues traveled to Essex, conducting back-to-back interviews with the suspects over a 17-hour shift. They presented evidence linking them to 86 thefts, charging all six with conspiracy to commit theft.
The six gang members were sentenced as follows:
Jason Anthony Raven, 50, from Stanford Le Hope, received a 3-year jail sentence for stealing 188 trollies worth £94,539.20.
James Mytum, 41, from Colchester, also received a 3-year jail sentence for stealing 143 trollies worth £71,910.40.
Tania Patmore, 52, from Stanford Le Hope, was sentenced to a 2-year custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, for stealing 231 trollies worth £116,163.
Samantha Drum, 30, from East Tilbury, received a 2-year custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, for stealing 116 trollies worth £58,332.80.
Marlie Patmore, 29, from Basildon, was given a 20-month custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, for stealing 27 trollies worth £13,576.80.
Nicola Patmore, 50, from Colchester, was sentenced to a 2-year custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, for stealing 152 trollies worth £76,436.
PC Marshall expressed satisfaction with the outcome, saying, “These individuals thought they could evade justice by spreading their crimes over such a wide area, but we connected the dots and brought them to account. Their sentences will significantly reduce their ability to reoffend.”
Hannah Galloway, from Tesco’s Security Hub, praised the police for their hard work, saying, “These offenders targeted our stores across the country, but thanks to the dedicated efforts of Surrey Police, they are no longer a threat.”
The sentences mark a significant victory in the battle against organized shoplifting, ensuring that these criminals will no longer be able to exploit retail businesses.
