A prolific thief dubbed the 'Hamster' by Greggs bakery staff has been spared immediate imprisonment after stealing close to £2,000 worth of goods from a west London outlet. Adam Gosling, a 39-year-old homeless man, targeted the Greenford branch on 38 separate occasions during a six-week period between December 30, 2025, and February 10.
The Systematic Theft Operation
Prosecutors detailed at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court how Gosling's theft spree amounted to £1,817.50 in stolen merchandise. The value of individual thefts ranged from £12.30 to £100 per visit, with the offender sometimes targeting the same Greggs location multiple times within a single day.
Security footage released by the store shows the hooded man methodically ransacking refrigerators, stuffing Lucozade bottles into bags. In another revealing clip, he returns wearing a mask and proceeds to shamelessly stash multiple orange juice bottles into a Co-op bag while employees look on.
Staff Recognition and Police Intervention
Greggs staff became so familiar with Gosling's repeated offenses that they nicknamed him the 'Hamster' and began meticulously logging each incident. Police community support officer James Tupman noted that Gosling had become the 'most prolific' thief at the location.
Despite being confronted by a staff member holding a tablet, Gosling simply walked past and exited the shop, leaving the refrigerator door open during one brazen theft. He was eventually arrested on February 10 after CCTV footage was shared with Metropolitan Police officers.
Court Sentencing and Police Response
Gosling pleaded guilty to all 38 counts of theft from a shop. Magistrate bench chairman Judy Gregg sentenced him to four months in jail, suspended for one year, sparing him immediate imprisonment.
Superintendent Sean Lynch, who leads neighbourhood policing in Ealing, commented: 'We are committed to tackling issues that have a real impact on businesses and communities - including shoplifting. In the last year, theft offences have fallen by 8.3% in Ealing and 9.5% across the Met as a whole.'
Mr. Tupman emphasized the partnership approach: 'This result is the direct outcome of strong partnership work with Greggs staff, who have been exceptionally proactive in recording offences and supporting our investigation. The volume of thefts had a significant impact on the business.'
Police noted that officers worked tirelessly to gather evidence, identify the offender, and implement long-term measures to prevent reoffending following the extensive theft series that targeted the popular bakery chain.
