Two shoplifters caught stealing hundreds of pounds worth of food and alcohol were sentenced on 29th January at Leicester Magistrates Court. 

James Ailmore, 41, and Pauline Hutchinson, 42, were caught using CCTV footage. 

The pair, who both live on Yew Tree Cresent in Melton, stole hundreds of pounds of food and alcohol from five different shops in Oakham between 8th and 25th January. 

Ailmore admitted to stealing from five different shops, joined on three occassions by Hutchinson.  

Both pleaded guilty. Ailmore received six weeks jail time and Hutchinson got a four-week suspended sentence. 

In September 2024, Leicestershire and Rutland's Police and Crime Commissioner announced that shoplifting offences in the area had risen by almost 30% in the last year, attributing the rise to an increase in crime gangs and the cost of living crisis. 

The annual report for the 2023/24 financial year says: "Shoplifting offences have seen a 29.1% increase over the past year, which can be attributed to the cost of living crisis. This could also be attributed to Leicestershire Police's emphasis to encourage reporting of such offences. Nationally, this crime type has seen a significant increase, I will continue to push forward improvements in relation to business crime offences."