A prolific shoplifter who targeted stores in Gedling borough has been jailed.
Shops across Arnold and Gedling were targeted by Shane Hickling during his thieving spree from July 23, 2025 to February 3, 2026. He also stole from a number of shops in Worksop.
On nine separate occasions, Hickling took items including shampoo, toothpaste and chocolates from shelves.
Police officers managed to identify the 50-year-old from CCTV captured at the premises he targeted.
Items were swiped from shelves at Boots in Front Street, Arnold, and Co-op in Westdale Lane West, Gedling.
During the shoplifting spree, officers received reports that a bike had been stolen after it was parked outside Wetherspoons, Radcliffe Road, West Bridgford on 30 July 2025.
Hickling was caught on CCTV boldly entering the premises first, and then making off with the cycle a short while later.
The prolific shoplifter was detained in Worksop by officers as he targeted Farmfoods on Tuesday, February 3. He was duly arrested outside the shop.
Appearing at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (4), Hickling, of Kent Close, Worksop, pleaded guilty to nine counts of shop theft and one count of bike theft.
Hickling, the subject of a suspended sentence order from previous offences, was jailed for a total of 46 weeks.
PC Eoin Wilson, of the Worksop South neighbourhood policing team, said: “Hickling is a persistent thief, and I hope this custodial sentence provides some respite for the stores which have been impacted by his offending.
“We want shops across Gedling borough to thrive for the good of the whole community and will always take robust action against offenders like Hickling who can cause great harm to local businesses.”
