'Professional' shoplifter has his prison sentence cut - by one week

A “PROFESSIONAL” shoplifter jailed for his 10th offence of shoplifting so far this year has successfully challenged his sentence.

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Christopher Ready was jailed for 18 weeks for walking out of a shop with more than a dozen steaks he hadn't paid for - but launched an appeal, saying the sentence was too high.

After hearing legal submissions, a judge at Swansea Crown Court allowed the appeal and reduced the sentence to 17 weeks. The court heard Ready has 121 previous offences on his record including 70 shoplifting offences committed over the past three decades.

Barrister Regan Walters told the court that on June 12 this year Ready walked into the Farm Foods store in Swansea's Parc Tawe retail park and put 13 steaks worth around £70 into the bag he was carrying before walking out without paying.