A thief who targeted shops in Bexleyheath and Gravesend, using tools to pry open cash tills, has been jailed for 18 months.

Paul McMullen, 41, stole from seven businesses across Kent, Essex and south London, making off with more than £1,500 between August 2019 and June 2021.

He was arrested after officers identified him through CCTV on June 16, 2021, when he stole from a large store in Ilford.

Further enquiries were then carried out and he was identified as being the offender responsible for the other thefts and he was subsequently charged.

McMullen, of Fencepiece Road, Ilford, was sentenced to one year and six months in jail after he admitted seven charges of theft.

He was jailed at Maidstone Crown Court on December 7.

Investigating officer PC Harry Groves from the Chief Constable's Crime Squad said: “McMullen was brazen in his offending with the majority of his offences being committed during the day.

“He targeted stores where he felt he could steal a large quantity of money.

“McMullen was also charged with six burglaries which related to the same businesses where the thefts occurred, however these were ordered to lie on file.

“Stealing from large businesses is not a victimless crime and his custodial sentencing is justified.”

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