A persistent shoplifter in Thanet and Canterbury who tried to gouge out the eyes of a police officer as he was arrested has been jailed.
On the morning of Wednesday 10 April, Kent Police was called to a shop in Newington which had reported a man had stolen twice from their premises that day and that a member of the public had said the name of the offender was Jordan Best.
An officer attended the Newington area and found Best, who tried to run away, swinging a bag of stolen goods and hitting the officer with it. The officer caught Best and he was arrested on suspicion of the thefts and assaulting an emergency worker.
An investigation into thefts at other businesses was carried out by Kent Police. Neighbourhood officers spent time reviewing the CCTV footage from each reported crime, identifying the offender for each incident as Best.
Between 12 March and 22 April Best targeted supermarkets in Ramsgate, Whitstable, Canterbury, Herne Bay and Margate, he stole hundreds of pounds worth of goods such as meat and laundry products, often filling up a holdall bag and walking out without paying.
During one theft at a store in Ramsgate on Wednesday 3 April, Best stole meat and was spotted by a shop security guard who confronted him. When told to return the stolen items to the store, Best grabbed his bag and ran, pushing the guard as he left.
When officers went to arrest the 38 year old for the offences on 22 April, he became violent. Best assaulted the officer, trying to gouge out his eyes, punched him to the face and also attempted to bite him.
At court Best, of no fixed address, admitted carrying out 12 thefts across the areas as well as assaulting an emergency worker; an assault occasioning actual bodily harm; and assaulting a shop employee.
At Canterbury Crown Court on Tuesday 24 September, he was sentenced to a total of two years and four months in prison which included 120 days from a suspended sentence he had received at court previously.
Kent Police Inspector Shelah Thompson said: “The idea that you can walk into several shops and fill a bag with stolen goods and then assault anyone who challenges you is a foolish one.
“Kent Police works with businesses to ensure they have security measures in place like CCTV so when crime happens, the chances are improved of catching the criminal.
“In this case, Jordan Best was already known in the Thanet area to the local neighbourhood officers as they regularly patrol the streets and come into contact with a lot of people. When they reviewed the CCTV footage, they were able to name him and ultimately bring him before the courts.
“I want to thank the various businesses as well as the victims who were just carrying out their jobs when they were assaulted by Best. Their support in this case has been crucial in disrupting Best’s appalling and criminal behaviour.”
