A shoplifter whose bubble was burst after being jailed for stealing £6 worth of cola whilst stood next to a police officer has been jailed. 

Simon Hawe, 39, of no fixed abode, has been jailed for 14 weeks after being caught red-handed stealing four cans of fizzy drink from a petrol station in Ashton. 

Hawe entered the shop on Manchester Road in view of other customers and staff, crouched down next to an end aisle, placed four cans of cola in his coat pocket and attempted to make his way to the exit.

Unfortunately for Hawe, he was in the presence of officers from Greater Manchester Police's Tameside Intelligence Development Unit, who were in the shop at the time picking up some refreshments.

Having witnessed the theft, the officers detained Hawe and took him to Ashton-under-Lyne Police Station, where he was later charged and remanded to appear at Tameside Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (4 August). 

Hawe pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison. 

DS Chapman, of GMP Tameside's Intelligence Development Unit, said: "This particular service station has recently had spate of similar thefts and the staff were very pleased and appreciative that the officers had taken such swift, positive action.

"Added to the strong message from Tameside Magistrates, this will hopefully act as a deterrent for those wanting to commit these kind of offences in the future."

Anyone with information, or has any concerns about shoplifting or where those responsible are selling on the goods, can report it online at https://crowd.in/hVwexZ. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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