Southampton Man Jailed After £1,000 Shoplifting Spree Across Lymington And Pennington
Southampton Man Jailed After £1,000 Shoplifting Spree Across Lymington And Pennington
A 46-year-old Southampton man has been jailed for eight months after admitting a string of shoplifting offences and breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order.
James Dempsey, of Romsey Road, Southampton, pleaded guilty to stealing more than £1,000 worth of goods from stores across Lymington and Pennington.
The offences included the theft of £600 worth of meat, butter, alcohol and fabric softener from Waitrose on Stanford Road, Lymington, and Tesco Express in The Square, Pennington, on Saturday 6 June.
The day before, Friday 5 June, Dempsey failed to pay for £140 worth of meat from the same Tesco store.
On Thursday 4 June, he stole £426.40 worth of meat and fabric softener from Morrisons Daily on Milford Road, Lymington, and Marks & Spencer on St Thomas Street, Lymington.
He also admitted making off without paying for £95.23 worth of diesel from Loaders Garage on St Johns Road, New Milton, on Wednesday 8 October 2025.
Dempsey appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Monday 8 June, where he was sentenced to eight months in prison.
The sentence also reflected nine breaches of his Criminal Behaviour Order, after he entered stores from which he had already been banned.
Sergeant Andy Gwyer, from the New Forest Neighbourhood Enforcement Team, said he was pleased Dempsey had been held accountable.
He said: “I am pleased for the stores in question, as well as the wider business community here, that Dempsey has been held accountable for his actions.
“Retail crime remains one of our local priorities, in addition to the many other things the team is dealing with on a daily basis.
“This case should once again demonstrate our commitment to seriously tackling shoplifting across the New Forest.
“This sentence will afford businesses in our district, and beyond, much-needed and deserved protection from Dempsey’s offending.”
Sergeant Gwyer also thanked the businesses involved for supporting the investigation and helping secure the court outcome.
He added: “I hope this case again sends out a very clear message to others thinking of committing criminality in Lymington and beyond. We won’t tolerate it and we will work tirelessly to bring you before the courts, where you will face justice.”
Police are encouraging shop owners and staff to continue reporting shoplifting incidents by calling 101 or using the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website.
Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Posted: 2026-06-12T11:16:45+0000
