Newport Serial Thief Jailed After Stealing £245 of Goods

A serial shoplifter has been jailed again after stealing from multiple stores in Newport within days. 🔒

Imtiaz Fazal, 39, pleaded guilty to stealing a holdall and laundry pods worth £144.90 from B&M on May 7, followed by two suitcases valued at £100 from Primark just two days later on May 9.

The court heard that these latest offences put Fazal in breach of a community order imposed only last month for similar thefts, including stealing Ferrero Rocher chocolate worth £75 from Tesco Express.

District Judge Sophie Toms sentenced the former mechanic, of no fixed abode, to 26 weeks in prison at Newport Magistrates’ Court.

The court stated that “only a custodial sentence could be justified because the defendant has a flagrant disregard for court orders.”

Fazal will also be required to pay compensation following his release.

This isn’t the first time Fazal has been imprisoned for theft, with previous court hearings noting that he struggles with drug misuse and “is operating as a professional criminal.” His repeated offences have troubled Newport businesses for years. 🛒