Identical twin brothers David and Carl Hollis, both of First Avenue in Crosby, have been jailed for a series of shop thefts at Home Bargains, Sainsbury's and Tesco. The pair appeared at Wirral Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to the offences.
Charges and offences
David Hollis was charged with five counts of theft from a shop in relation to offences on various days in August at Home Bargains in Moor Lane. Carl Hollis was charged with four counts of theft from a shop relating to offences at Sainsbury's on Liverpool Road and Tesco Express on Edge Lane.
Carl was also charged with three counts of breaching a criminal behaviour order issued in February.
Sentences handed down
David was sentenced to 11 months in prison, including time for breaching a suspended sentence, and ordered to pay compensation and a victim surcharge. Carl was sentenced to 22 weeks in prison and ordered to pay compensation and a victim surcharge.
The sentencing forms part of a Merseyside Police crackdown on shop thefts in the Crosby area.
Police comment
Sefton neighbourhood Police Constable Thomas Vaughan said: "You might be forgiven for doing a double take seeing the custody images of David and Carl Hollis but unfortunately shops in Crosby Village have recently been plagued by the twins."
"They have repeatedly targeted shops in the theft of items ranging from meat, protein powder to alcohol, causing distress and inconvenience to those businesses."
"We will relentlessly pursue offenders for shop theft and continue to show our contempt for this and all criminality."
"Neighbourhood policing work has brought them to justice and while it is pleasing to see them both jailed, we also hope that this period inside, and showing the public their faces, will deter them and make businesses in the area safer places to work."
"Pass on information on any crime against businesses where you and we will keep taking this positive action."
