AN imprisoned shoplifter will serve additional time after having been convicted of further offences.

Craig Sawyer, 51, of no fixed abode, appeared via video link at Newton Abbot Magistrates Court on Wednesday, March 12, where he pleaded guilty to an additional five counts of shoplifting in South Devon during November 2024.

The prolific shoplifter is currently serving a 42 week sentence, but will no have to serve an additional 14 weeks after the new conviction.

The shoplifting offences took place in Boots stores in Torquay and Dartmouth, an estimated value of the goods stolen totalled £8,000.

Sawyer, who is currently in prison, had previously been convicted in Worcestershire.

He was charged with 16 counts of shoplifting in January 2025, stealing goods from Boots stores worth more than £11,400

Police Inspector James Rees said: ‘Sawyer had a clear pattern of behaviour. He would enter stores with the sole intention of stealing high value items and attempt to resell them for a profit. He was intent on stealing as much as he could without detection.’

Sawyer was also given a five-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) as part of his original conviction.

The order bans him from entering Boots stores across the UK and from entering Worcestershire, except for travelling through the county in vehicles or on trains.

Speaking on the wider impact of shoplifting, Inspector Rees continued: ‘Shoplifting is an offence that has a huge impact on the livelihoods of retailers and their employees.

‘This individual was a repeat offender, relentlessly targeting stores across the UK.

‘We’re pleased to have been able to secure these additional charges for the offences committed in our county, sending a clear message that shoplifting will not be tolerated.

‘I hope this shows our communities that we stand behind our local businesses and are acting on the information shared with us to target offenders.’