Greggs 'Hamster' Thief Stole Nearly £2,000 in Food Spree, Avoids Prison
A serial thief nicknamed "Hamster" by Greggs staff stole almost £2,000 worth of food from the same bakery chain shop over a six-week period, a court has heard. Adam Gosling, 39, targeted a Greggs branch in Greenford, west London, 38 times between 30 December 2025 and 10 February 2026, but has been spared an immediate jail term.
Brazen Thefts Captured on CCTV
Footage released by the Metropolitan Police shows Gosling brazenly taking drinks from the shop's fridge on multiple occasions. In one clip, wearing a hood over a cap, he fills a carrier bag with multiple Lucozade bottles while a staff member is nearby. The staff member then enters a back door, and Gosling walks out unchallenged.
Another clip shows Gosling, this time with a face covering, continuing to swipe drinks from the fridge as a staff member leans in, seemingly trying to check his identity. The staff member leaves through the same back door, and Gosling exits the shop. A third clip depicts him emptying the fridge of Lucozade bottles and taking other drinks, with a staff member appearing to notice him but taking no direct action.
Police Investigation and Court Outcome
Police community support officer James Tupman stated that Greggs staff, who had seen a high number of thefts at the branch, began logging each incident. One man—nicknamed "Hamster" by staff—became the "most prolific" thief. Police identified him as Gosling through CCTV footage and arrested him on 10 February.
At Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, prosecutors revealed that Gosling's theft spree amounted to £1,817.50, with individual thefts ranging from £12.30 to £100 per visit. On some days, he targeted the shop multiple times. The court heard that Gosling is currently homeless, and he pleaded guilty to 38 counts of theft from a shop.
Chairwoman of the magistrates' bench Judy Gregg sentenced him to four months in prison, suspended for one year, meaning he will not serve time unless he reoffends within that period.
Partnership Work and Crime Statistics
Mr Tupman commented after the sentencing: "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 and our officers worked tirelessly to gather evidence, identify the offender and put long-term measures in place to prevent reoffending."
Superintendent Sean Lynch, who leads neighbourhood policing in Ealing, added: "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 per cent in Ealing and 9.5 percent across the Met as a whole. While we recognise there is more to do to continue to drive down crime, our officers will continue to work with their communities and businesses to tackle repeat offenders and bring them to justice."
Greggs, which has around 2,675 shops across the UK and is targeting 3,500 sites, has not issued a separate statement on this case. The incident highlights ongoing challenges with retail theft, particularly in urban areas, and the collaborative efforts between police and businesses to address such crimes.
