A serial offender has been locked up for almost two-and-a-half years after what was initially reported as shoplifting turned out to be a robbery at a convenience store in Merthyr Tydfil.
Richard Munkley, 48, from Merthyr Tydfil, was tracked down by South Wales Police’s Safer Neighbourhood Team after the incident at the Nisa Local on Brecon Road.
Officers identified Munkley following the initial report, and further investigation revealed the offence was far more serious than first thought – establishing that a robbery had taken place rather than a straightforward shoplifting offence.
Faced with the strength of the evidence against him, Munkley pleaded guilty to theft and robbery. He was sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court yesterday, where he received two years and five months in prison.
Sergeant Jones of South Wales Police’s Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “Our Officers have pursued the case thoroughly, Munkley is a prolific offender but due to the quality of the investigation was left with no option but to plead guilty to theft and robbery.”
