Man Admits Stealing Alcohol from High Street Stores in Winchester

A Winchester man has admitted to stealing alcohol from shops along the city’s High Street.

Maxwell Oliver Lane-Wheeler, 27, of City Road, Winchester, appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 29 October, following an investigation into thefts at Tesco Express and Marks & Spencer between 17 September and 27 October.

Lane-Wheeler was arrested in Winchester on 28 October by the city’s Neighbourhood Policing Team and charged with eight counts of theft from a shop. He entered guilty pleas at court the following day. Sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday, 19 November, at the same court.

Sergeant Ryan Keen of Winchester City’s Neighbourhood Policing Team said:

“On multiple occasions, Lane-Wheeler entered these stores, picked up bottles of alcohol from the shelves before brazenly walking outside, with no attempt to pay. This kind of behaviour is not acceptable and our teams have been working hard to target repeat offenders in the city – it is a priority for us. Such offenders impact local businesses, and no member of staff should have to deal with shoplifters or abuse. Where shoplifting is reported to police, we will make every effort to identify and arrest those responsible, and use other tactics at our disposal – such as applying for Criminal Behaviour Orders – to limit re-offending and take further action against those whose offending persists.”

Lane-Wheeler will return to court in November to be sentenced.