Thief who targeted spas, gyms and hotels jailed

Nicholas Hughes targeted hotels, gyms and health centres over 16 months

A thief who stole more than £23,000 worth of valuable items from lockers at high-end leisure facilities across the UK has been jailed.

Nicholas Hughes, of Guilsborough Road, Coventry, carried out 14 thefts from hotels, gyms and health centres over the space of 16 months, starting in February 2023.

He later defrauded a number of his victims out of more than £18,000 by using their debit and credit cards.

Hughes was jailed for three-and-a-half years at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday.

An investigation into the 51-year-old started in June 2024 after expensive items were taken from a locker in Craxton Wood Hotel and Spa in Chester, Cheshire Police said.

A watch, bank cards and driving licence had been stolen from a locker, before the cards were used in several fraudulent transactions in Ellesmere Port.

Detectives identified Hughes as a suspect and checks found that he was wanted for similar offences in different locations across the UK.

The force launched a manhunt for Hughes, and he was arrested at Bath Railway Station on 10 July, 2024.

He later pleaded guilty to 14 counts of theft, totalling £23,495, and 12 counts of fraud, totalling £18,012.

These included crimes in Liverpool, Preston, Chichester, Plymouth and Kent.

Following the sentencing, DC Mike Rogers said: “Hughes is a prolific offender and is now rightly behind bars for his appalling behaviour.

"He deliberately chose to target luxury facilities, accessing the changing rooms and stealing from people’s lockers as they were exercising in the gym or enjoying the spa.

“The items he stole were of high value and some of the jewellery was also incredibly sentimental to the victims and unfortunately can never be replaced."