Prolific Shoplifter Simon Spencer Jailed For Forty-6 Weeks After Stealing Over £3k of Goods Across Derbyshire

A prolific shoplifter who stole more than £3,000 worth of goods from supermarkets and convenience stores across Derbyshire has been jailed after being caught attempting to steal 20 tins of tuna from a Farmfoods store.

Simon Spencer, 51, of no fixed abode, admitted 23 shop theft offences committed between January and June 2026, targeting a number of major retail chains including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Farmfoods and One Stop.

Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court heard that Spencer carried out a sustained series of thefts across the county, stealing food, wine, dishwasher tablets and other household items from stores in Ripley, Alfreton, Derby, Long Eaton, Sawley, Sandiacre and Codnor.

The value of the goods stolen during the offending period exceeded £3,000.

Spencer had evaded arrest for several months and became the subject of a police wanted appeal while officers sought to locate him.

The court heard that officers from Derbyshire Police’s Force Proactive Team, a specialist unit tasked with targeting prolific offenders, eventually traced Spencer to a Farmfoods store in Codnor on 2 June.

When officers located him inside the supermarket, they caught him attempting to steal 20 tins of tuna. He was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged with 23 counts of shop theft.

Spencer pleaded guilty to all offences when he appeared before magistrates on 4 June.

He was sentenced to 46 weeks’ imprisonment.

Following the hearing, Sergeant Oliver Priddle, of Derbyshire Police’s Force Proactive Team, said: “For Spencer, his time on the run is over.

“I am relieved to know he is behind bars and can no longer cause not only financial harm to stores, but also distress to retail workers who have a right to work in a safe and comfortable environment without fear of crime.

“This case should serve as a warning to others - we will relentlessly pursue offenders, regardless of any misguided sense of impunity they believe they have.”

The prosecution related to a series of shoplifting offences committed across Derbyshire over a period of several months, culminating in Spencer’s arrest in Codnor and subsequent guilty pleas to all 23 charges.