A prolific thief has been jailed and will be banned from multiple Medway shops when he is released from prison. On Friday 4 October 2024, Ross Collins went to the Co-op in Pattens Lane, Chatham, and walked to the refrigerated section. Once there he selected meat products worth almost £110, and left without paying.

Almost a fortnight later, Collins stole several food items valued at £30 from the BP Garage, in Maidstone Road, Chatham, by placing them down his jogging bottoms. Both incidents were investigated and on Friday 25 October, Collins was arrested in the town centre.

Collins, of Conifer Drive, Chatham, was charged with both thefts and appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on the following day. The 41-year-old pleaded guilty and was immediately jailed for 104 days. This included the activation of a suspended sentence he had received earlier in the month at the same court, in relation to three thefts.

Collins was also made the subject of a five-year criminal behaviour order that prohibits him from entering all Co-op, Asda, or Tesco supermarkets, or any BP petrol station. He must also abide by banning notices issued against him by any store.

Police Sergeant Dan Bartlett said: ‘Collins has committed a significant number of thefts over the years and has been the subject of a previous criminal behaviour order.

‘He is now serving a prison sentence and his conduct will be restricted by a further order on his release. Local officers and shop owners will be alert for any breaches of these conditions and, should he transgress in the future, he will be brought before the court immediately to answer for his actions.’