A man has been jailed for two years after stealing beauty products worth £25,000 from Boots stores across Hampshire.
Ionel Elvis Dulea targeted shops in Andover, Aldershot and Fareham during a five-month spree between March and August this year.
The 47-year-old thief from Gateshead stole skincare products worth £3,915 from the Boots store in Aldershot.
From the Andover branch, he took items valued at £7,626.
Man jailed for 2 years after stealing £25,000 worth of beauty products from BootsPAThe largest haul came from the Fareham store, where Dulea stole beauty products worth £13,473.
At Winchester Crown Court, Dulea pleaded guilty to eight charges of theft and one count of attempted theft.
Acting Sergeant Devon Smith from the Test Valley Priority Crime Team said: “Dulea’s brazen shoplifting affected a number of stores, shop workers and members of the community across a large part of Hampshire.”
“Our message is clear – shoplifting in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will not be tolerated,” he added.
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Dulea pleaded guilty to eight charges of theft and one count of attempted theft from the Boots stores
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“This sentencing should send a clear message to others who are thinking about stealing from the businesses in our area.
“It will not be tolerated and we will work hard to bring you before the courts, where you will face the consequences.”
The sentencing comes as Boots appointed Anthony Hemmerdingeras its new boss after current chief Sebastian James announced his departure.
Hemmerdinger, a former senior director of Asda and Sainsbury’s, will take over as managing director of the pharmacy giant in November from his current role heading up the company’s retail and operations.
Boots managing director Anthony Hemmerdingeras
Boots
He takes over the high street stalwart amid a period of uncertainty over its ownership following reports in May that its US owner Walgreens was pursuing a potential sale.
Bloomberg reported in May that Walgreens Boots Alliance was reaching out to potential buyers for a possible £7billion takeover.
The company has also been reported to be considering spinning Boots off via a float on the London Stock Exchange in recent years, which would come as a major boost to Britain’s financial markets.
Ornella Barra, chief operating officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance’s international business, said the appointment would bring “a seamless leadership transition and enable us to build on our transformation journey apace”.
“Since he joined the Boots team in 2022, Anthony has successfully guided our retail and operations team through our change journey, which has delivered consistent growth across all our categories.
“Hemmerdinger said Boots holds a unique position at the heart of the UK’s health and beauty sector.”