A prolific shoplifter who repeatedly targeted stores across Swindon and assaulted retail staff during his thefts has been jailed for 26 weeks.

Joshua Moss, 31, of no fixed abode, appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to 14 counts of shoplifting and four counts of assault by beating. A further four thefts were taken into consideration during sentencing.

All the offences occurred between 8 June and 1 August 2025.

The court also imposed a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) on Moss. The order bans him from entering Swindon town centre and several local shops where he had previously committed offences.

Police Welcome Sentence

PC Paul Bezzant of the Swindon Central South Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) said:

“We appreciate the significant frustration and community concern around shoplifters and retail crime.

“As we have said before, it is not a victimless crime. Retail staff are often subjected to assault, as is the case with Moss on a number of occasions, and businesses financially suffer.

“The loss from shoplifting is then factored into the pricing across the store, making products more expensive for the general public.”

PC Bezzant praised the sentencing, adding:

“Moss is a prolific offender and I’m pleased the judge has given him a custodial sentence.

“The court has also put a CBO against him following an application by Wiltshire Police for when he is released, in order to protect the community from the sort of harassment, alarm or distress that we have seen in this case.”

Wiltshire Police reiterated their commitment to tackling retail crime and supporting local businesses and staff affected by persistent offending.