Shoplifter who was found hiding in garden jailed

Mark Stiggers was caught hiding in a garden

A "prolific" shoplifter has been jailed after he was arrested while hiding in a garden.

Mark Stiggers, of no fixed abode, was found by Wiltshire Police officers on Thursday while hiding in a front garden in Cumberland Road, Swindon.

Stiggers, 34, has been jailed for 18 weeks after pleading guilty to nine counts of shoplifting from various stores in Swindon on Friday.

PC Holly Moffat said Stiggers' shoplifting had a "significant negative impact on businesses and the local community".

During the Swindon Magistrates’ Court hearing on Friday, Stiggers was sentenced to six weeks imprisonment for the offences and a further 12 weeks after breaching a suspended sentence order.

PC Moffat, of the Swindon Central South Neighbourhood Team, said: “Two of these offences were committed just the day after he was given a suspended sentence for similar crimes, and I’m pleased he is now facing a prison sentence for his actions.

“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime – it has a huge effect, both financially and on morale, on those working in retail and on business owners, and clamping down on it remains a focus under Chief Constable Catherine Roper," she added.