Two shoplifters who stole over £5,000 worth of goods have been sentenced.

Lee Parnaby, 32, and Leander Fitzgerald, 30, took part in a total of 44 incidents across Eastbourne, including in multiple Co-ops in Albert Parade, Cornfield Road, Milfoil Drive and Framfield Way and other shops such as Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Savers.

Parnaby, of Udimore Road, was charged with 26 shoplifting incidents between April 22 and October 1, while Fitzgerald, also of Udimore Road, was charged with 18 between August 22 2023 and October 2 of this year.

The pair pleaded guilty to all charges on October 4 at Brighton Magistrates’ Court. They were each sentenced to 26 weeks in prison.

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PC Sam Smith said: “Parnaby and Fitzgerald are prolific offenders in the Eastbourne area and this is a brilliant result to get them off the streets.

“No business should expect to be stolen from, and they both would hit stores frequently.

“Working alongside our business partners, our teams spent a lot of time building a casefile to convict the pair.

“Sussex Police takes a zero-tolerance approach to shoplifting and business crime, and we will ensure offenders are put before the courts. I hope this sentence deters those who are thinking of committing an offence.”