A man has been sentenced for causing an estimated value of nearly £100, 000 worth of damage to businesses in Ipswich including some convenience stores.
As reported by Suffolk Constabulary, Thomas Jeffrey, aged 35 and of Horseman Court in Martlesham Heath, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court last week as he was charged with 16 counts of criminal damage. Two counts of criminal damage were over £5,000 while 14 counts of criminal damage under £5,000.
The incident happened in the early hours of May 1. Police were called shortly before 12:40am by a member of public reporting that a man was smashing shop windows with a skateboard.
Officers quickly attended and located the suspect where he was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and subsequently charged.
A number of businesses, including convenience stores, restaurants and cafes, an opticians, a bank, and a charity shop, along Princes Street, Tavern Street, Queen Street, Friars Street, Coytes Gardens, Falcon Street and Great Colman Street were affected by the incident.
Jeffrey was initially charged with 17 counts of criminal damage however, following enquiries, one of these charges was withdrawn.
He admitted to 16 counts of criminal damage at a previous hearing and was remanded in court following the incident. He was sentenced to two months in jail, which was considered as time-served by the court, and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154.
Jeffrey was also found to be in breach of a Community Behaviour Order (CBO) handed to him in October 2024 for threatening words/behaviour and was ordered to pay a £50 fine within six months, or face 5-days’ imprisonment in default.
A further two-year CBO, which was imposed by Ipswich Magistrates’ Court in November 2024 for criminal damage to property under £5,000 and threatening words/behaviour, will continue.
PC Katelin Humphrey, who was the officer in charge of the case, said: “Jeffrey caused an overwhelming amount of damage to multiple premises which has had a significant financial impact on the numerous victims, and caused disruption to many people in the community.
“The court heard he was able to go free because of the time already served on remand and he must still comply with the conditions of his licence and an ongoing community order."