Thanet Magistrates’ Court Image SCOPIX
In a bizarre spree that saw everything from kitchen appliances including an Air Fryer, to a paddleboard vanish from Canterbury’s shops, a repeat offender has finally been jailed. The man, Jack Goddard, 29, was apprehended after a frantic foot chase through the city, bringing an end to a string of nine separate thefts that left investigators scratching their heads.
Canterbury’s Victim Based Crime Team pieced together the strange case, revealing a pattern of pilfering that seemed to have no rhyme or reason. Between March and June 2025, Goddard’s haul included not just bottles of alcohol but also a stand-up paddleboard, an air fryer, and a variety of other items. The seemingly random nature of the stolen goods made the case all the more unusual for local police. But Goddard’s luck ran out in June when neighbourhood officers spotted him in the city. He attempted to make a run for it, but a short pursuit ended in his arrest.
Goddard following his arrest
On Tuesday, September 2nd, he was sentenced to nine months in prison at Thanet Magistrates’ Court and ordered to pay compensation to the businesses he stole from and his arrest and sentencing mark a win for local police and a relief for Canterbury’s businesses, who can now rest a little easier knowing this unusual thief is off the streets.
Inspector Beatrice Chequer said: ‘Persistent shoplifters like Goddard have a big impact on local businesses and their staff – and cause prices to increase for law-abiding shoppers. My team will keep visiting shops, speaking to staff, and scouring CCTV to identify those behind these crimes and bring them to justice.’