A prolific thief from Rhondda has been jailed and banned from a long list of retailers.

Jamie Johnson, 42, of Tonypandy, stole property worth thousands of pounds in a two-month, indiscriminate shoplifting spree targeting retailers across the south Wales valleys.

Johnson stole products such as alcohol, meat, scratchcards, a pressure washer and even a set of Dracula teeth from large chains and small independent retailers.

Johnson would sometimes use distraction techniques to dupe shop workers and committed 17 separate thefts during August and September, 2024.

On October 4, having pled guilty to seventeen separate offences, Johnson was jailed at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court for 26 weeks.

An application for a Criminal Behaviour Order to ban Jamie Johnson from all shops in the Cynon Valley, Cyfarthfa Retail Park and all Boots, Tesco, Co-op and Farm Foods stores throughout Rhondda Cynon Tyaf and Merthyr Tydfil for a period of three years, was also successful.

Police Constable Jon Abel said:

“Jamie Johnson is a prolific thief who travelled from valley to valley targeting different shops and products which he could sell on.

“His crimes are not victimless – they can be devastating, especially for small independent retailers, and this type of crime deters important investment from larger chains which has a knock on effect for whole communities.

“The criminal behaviour order will help to protect local businesses from his criminal lifestyle and this case demonstrates our commitment to tackling retail theft and supporting the industry.”