A “prolific” shoplifter, Michael Butler, 36, has been jailed for 42 weeks after a series of thefts from multiple supermarkets in Reading and an assault on a staff member.
Butler, who has no fixed address, was sentenced at Reading Magistrates’ Court on March 25 after pleading guilty to nine counts of shoplifting and one count of assault.
Between February 13 and March 18, Butler repeatedly stole goods from the Co-op on London Road, committing theft on at least eight occasions. Additionally, on February 25, he was caught stealing meat from another Co-op store on Overdown Road in Tilehurst.
His crime spree escalated on March 18, when he assaulted a staff member at the Shell Garage on Oxford Road during an attempted theft.
Police arrested Butler on March 24, charging him the next day.
Investigating officer PC Thomas Kelly from Reading’s neighbourhood policing team commented:
“Michael Butler is a prolific offender in Reading and has rightly been sentenced to prison following these offences. Your behavior will not be tolerated, and you will be brought to justice.”
With his history of repeat offenses, authorities hope Butler’s sentence will serve as a strong deterrent against further crimes.
