Serial Greggs Thief Dubbed 'Hamster' Steals Nearly £2,000 in Food Spree
A serial thief has been caught on CCTV stealing almost £2,000 worth of food from a Greggs bakery in a brazen six-week spree. Adam Gosling, 39, who is currently homeless, was dubbed "Hamster" by staff at the Greenford branch in west London due to his prolific stealing habits.
Details of the Theft Spree
Prosecutors at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court confirmed that Gosling carried out 38 separate thefts between 30 December 2025 and 10 February 2026. The total value of the stolen items, which included various food products from the bakery's fridges, amounted to £1,817.50. Police community support officer James Tupman identified Gosling as the "most prolific" thief in the case, highlighting the frequency and scale of the crimes.
Court Proceedings and Sentence
Gosling pleaded guilty to all 38 counts of theft from a shop. In sentencing, the court handed him a four-month prison term, which was suspended for one year. This means he will avoid immediate imprisonment unless he commits another offence within that period. The case underscores ongoing issues with shoplifting and homelessness in urban areas.
Impact and Broader Context
The thefts occurred in plain sight, with CCTV footage capturing the incidents. This has raised concerns about security measures in retail environments and the challenges faced by businesses in preventing such crimes. Greggs, a popular bakery chain, has not commented publicly on the incident, but it highlights the financial losses retailers incur from theft.
Authorities are urging increased vigilance and cooperation between police and local businesses to combat similar offences in the future.
