Prolific Worthing Thief Now Behind Bars

A prolific thief has been jailed for shoplifting and breaching her criminal behaviour order in Worthing. 

Kirsten Hocking, 29, of Lyndhurst Road in Worthing, appeared at Worthing Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (13 January) to face a string of charges:

• five counts of theft,
• five counts of breaching her criminal behaviour order, 
• two counts of causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress and
• one count of attempted theft. 

Hocking took items such as perfume, alcohol and pet food from shops across in Worthing during a period from November to January. 

At Boots in Montague Street on 12 January, she threatened shop staff by saying she was infected with Covid-19 and that she "had a needle" and "would use it". 

She was also found to be in breach of her five year criminal behaviour order which was served in July and prohibited Hocking from entering the shops she stole from.

Police said the total loss from her shoplifting is estimated to be £326.29.

She pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to 26 weeks' imprisonment.

PC Isobel Wimbleton said:

"This conviction follows over a year's worth of work by the local Neighbourhood Policing Team and we are pleased the court has recognised the impact of her offending by imposing the maximum possible sentence. 

"Hocking has caused considerable loss, frustration and distress to shops in the Worthing area and we hope she reflects on her behaviour. 

"We have worked tirelessly taking Hocking through the anti-social behaviour crime and policing process where she had numerous opportunities to stop offending — but she has continued to do so.

"Adur, Worthing and Horsham neighbourhood policing teams work in partnership to tackle anti-social behaviour and are committed to tackling repeat offenders and keeping the area safe."