‘Prolific’ Worthing shoplifter is jailed

Kirsten Hocking, 28, of The Steyne in Worthing, appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (30 April) to face a total of 10 charges for shoplifting and breaching a Community Protection Notice (CPN), police confirmed.

Hocking committed these offences from January this year and during this time she stole a large quantity of items from different businesses in Worthing, including £996 worth of beauty products, according to police.

A CPN with a number of restrictions was issued to Hocking by police in December, preventing her from entering certain geographical areas in Worthing.

Hocking pleaded guilty to eight charges, two breaches of a CPN were dismissed by the court, and she was given a 26-week custodial sentence, confirmed police.

PC Isobel Wimbleton, of the Adur, Worthing and Horsham Prevention team, said: “After months of hard work from myself and the team to try and tackle Hocking’s persistent shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, I am really pleased with the court result.

“We recognise the impact anti-social behaviour can have on the community and local businesses and this is completely unacceptable.

“We are determined to work with our partners and will continue to use anti-social behaviour legislation to tackle unreasonable behaviour in our communities.”

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.