Man's £20k shoplifting spree left staff 'on edge'

Daniel Hayward was jailed at Gloucester Crown Court

A man has been jailed after stealing £20,000 worth of goods on shoplifting sprees.

Daniel Hayward, of Evesham Road, targeted a number of shops in his home town of Cheltenham, stealing sunglasses, fragrances, electronics and more.

The 40-year-old was sentenced to 16 months in prison after appearing at Gloucester Crown Court.

An employee at one of the Gloucestershire businesses targeted by Hayward said staff had been "on edge ever since".

In one incident, Hayward stole 21 pairs of sunglasses, valued at £10,090, from Boots.

He went on to target the same shop a month later using a keypad to enter via the staff entrance, stealing 18 pairs of sunglasses valued at £4,750. It is unknown how Hayward knew the security code.

On a different day, he entered WHSmith, filled a suitcase with Lego, totalling £300, and walked out.

'Incredibly unnerved'

An employee of one of the shops said shoplifting caused "a huge amount of emotional stress, anxiety, fear, pressure, worry and so much more".

They added they felt "incredibly unnerved" to learn Hayward had been wandering around the store before it opened.

"I have been on edge ever since, as have a lot of the staff. Fearful of who may be lurking around the corner.

"How did he get the code? Has he been watching us? What else is he capable of?

"Hayward has targeted our store on a number of occasions and whilst he isn’t abusive like some offenders are, the distress it causes staff and the chain reaction it has on us is significant," they said.

Hayward was sentenced on 29 July after pleading guilty to one count of burglary and one count of theft from a shop at an earlier hearing.

Responding to the sentencing, PC Will Hayes said shoplifting was "not a victimless crime" as it "deeply affects" businesses and the community.