High Steaks Thief Jailed

A man who stole hundreds of pounds worth of steak and meat has been jailed.

Prolific thief Stephen Neal, 36, of Walnut Tree Avenue, Cambridge, was arrested by police in the city on Wednesday (22 March) in connection with a string of shop thefts.

Between 14 and 20 March he targeted John Lewis, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Wilkinson stealing steaks, joints of meat, washing powder and alcohol worth more than £850.

On one occasion alone he stole 23 steaks and joints of meat worth £250.

At Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (23 March) Neal pleaded guilty to attempted bike theft, five counts of shop theft and six counts of breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), of which four were related to pedal cycles. He was sentenced to eight months in prison.

Neal’s CBO remains in place until December 2023 and states he must not:

Be in possession of any pedal cycle or cycle part unless having notified police of his lawful possession.

Go to Superdrug, Boots, Go Outdoors or Sainsbury’s in Cambridge or within the boundary of the M11, A11 and A14 unless he has a current prescription or has been directed by a GP to attend.

PC Rob Tindall, from the Cambridge neighbourhood policing team, said: “Neal is a prolific thief who has a flagrant disregard for people and their property. While he continues to break the law, we will continue to arrest and put him before the courts.”