A prolific shoplifter who brazenly stole approximately £16,000 worth of goods from B&Q stores using contactless payment methods has been brought to justice after a systematic crime spree across Essex.
The Audacious Crime Spree
Anthony May, 48, embarked on a remarkable stealing campaign between March and August 2023, targeting multiple B&Q locations throughout the county. His method was both simple and bold: he would enter stores, select high-value items, and use contactless payment technology to make minimal payments for goods worth hundreds of pounds.
Systematic Exploitation of Payment Systems
The Chelmsford resident's scheme involved strategically exploiting the £100 contactless payment limit. Court proceedings revealed how May would make numerous small payments for expensive power tools and equipment, effectively paying just a fraction of their actual value.
His criminal enterprise included:
- Targeting multiple B&Q locations across Essex
- Focusing on high-value power tools and equipment
- Utilizing contactless payment methods repeatedly
- Operating undetected for nearly six months
The Day of Reckoning
May's criminal luck ran out when vigilant B&Q security staff at the Colchester store became suspicious of his behaviour. Their intervention led to his apprehension and subsequent arrest, uncovering a pattern of theft that stretched across the region.
Justice Served at Chelmsford Crown Court
Appearing before Chelmsford Crown Court, May faced the consequences of his actions. He received a 12-month prison sentence after admitting to five counts of fraud. The court heard how his criminal activities had systematically targeted the home improvement retailer over an extended period.
A Pattern of Criminal Behaviour
This wasn't May's first encounter with the justice system. The court was informed of his "appalling record of previous convictions", highlighting a longstanding pattern of criminal behaviour that finally caught up with him.
The case serves as a stark reminder that retail crime, no matter how sophisticated the method, ultimately faces consequences in the British justice system.
