Man jailed for stealing dummies from babies in Harlow

Josh Guilder had never been weaned from dummies, a court previously heard

A man who stole dummies from babies' mouths has been jailed.

Josh Guilder took the soothers from five children around Harlow, Essex, between February 10 and August 7 last year.

The 23-year-old's lawyer said at an earlier hearing that he was living in a tent and "has never been weaned from dummies".

Guilder, of no fixed address, was jailed for 14 months at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Essex Police said one of the children involved was assaulted.

The thefts were reported to have happened in the Staple Tye Shopping Centre, Woodcroft, Parsloe Road and Cooks Spinney areas, the force said.

Guilder was arrested on 15 August, following a police appeal, and charged with five counts of theft, three of common assault, and a public order offence.

He was convicted of all the offences at Colchester Magistrates' Court on 20 November and sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday.

District commander for Harlow, Ch Insp Paul Austin, said: "I know these incidents caused concern in our community and I'm pleased we've been able to identify the person responsible and hold him accountable.

"It can never be acceptable that people in Harlow feel concerned about going about their daily lives or with their children and my officers have worked hard to get this result."

He thanked the community for its support during the investigation.