A shoplifter from Rochester has pleaded guilty at court to bulk thefts and threatening shop staff in Medway.
On Monday 8 April 2024, Bobby Helsby entered Tesco in Cuxton Road, Strood, and then left without paying for multiple bottles of alcohol.
Whilst leaving the store he also threatened two employees with a hypodermic needle when they sought to intervene. Kent Police was also notified of two further bulk thefts at the same business on Sunday 26 May and Wednesday 12 June.
The total value of the stolen property was £592 and, following an investigation, Helsby was identified and arrested on Thursday 20 June.
The 29-year-old from Rochester, was later charged by investigators from the Medway Victim Based Crime Team, with three thefts and threatening a person with a pointed article in a public place.
Helsby appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Friday 21 June where he pleaded guilty to all the charges, and also breaching court bail conditions. He was remanded in custody to a hearing at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on 31 July.