Sheerness shoplifter responsible for spate of more than 20 thefts worth thousands of pounds

Sean Gaskin relentlessly targeted several town centre stores, during a crime spree which also included several weeks when he was serving a suspended sentence.

Gaskin mainly stole from High Street businesses, including Holland and Barrett, Boots, Savers, Superdrug, and New Look. He concealed items with a value exceeding £2,500 and which included toiletries, tanning creams and clothing, as well as meat and cheese products.

Sean Gaskin Photo: Kent Police

Suspended sentence

The 41-year-old initially pleaded guilty at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court, on 29 April, to 10 thefts which were carried out from February this year. Gaskin, from Sheerness received a suspended sentence for these crimes, which he chose to ignore and over the following weeks went on to commit further offences. He was arrested again on Friday 31 May and remanded in custody.

On Monday 3 June another hearing took place, this time at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court, where Gaskin pleaded guilty to a further 13 shoplifting offences. Gaskin was jailed for a total of 330 days, which included the activation of the suspended sentence for the previous offences.

He was also ordered to pay compensation to the stores he stole from, which amounted to a sum of almost £1,700. 

Inspector Steve Bassett said:

‘We are simply not willing to tolerate offenders like Gaskin, who relentlessly target shops with the sole intention of stealing high value items to either consume or sell. Shoplifting is never a victimless crime and we do not underestimate the damaging impact it has on businesses.

‘Many local residents are also employed in our town centre stores and they should never have to go to work anxious about being targeted by thieves, or with the fear of being threatened, intimidated, or assaulted.

‘There will be no let-up in our efforts to prosecute those who see shoplifting as part of a criminal lifestyle. Our officers know who the repeat offenders are in Sheerness, and we will continue to bring thieves such as Gaskin before the courts at the earliest opportunity.’