Prolific burglar, 44, caught after breaking into M&S first to be jailed after ... trends now
A prolific burglar who broke into a M&S store to steal £500 of sirloin and T-bone steak as well as 20 bottles of prosecco, has become the first person to be jailed in a private prosecution.
David Hanson, 44, who had 105 previous convictions including 33 burglaries, was caught in the act and arrested by two detectives from a private policing company.
The store manager from M&S in Streatham Hill had called police immediately after catching Hanson stealing on CCTV but despite the footage, the Met Police decided not to investigate.
Instead, the case was taken on my TM Eye - a private investigator company which was founded by former Scotland Yard chief detective David McKelvey.
The firm, which uses plain clothed officers and those in uniform, has already helped prosecute 280 shoplifters, however, the south London case marks the first time a prosecution has been made against a thief.
David Hanson, 44, who had 105 previous convictions including 33 burglaries, was caught in the act and arrested by two detectives from a private policing company
The store manager from M&S in Streatham Hill had called police immediately after catching Hanson stealing on CCTV but despite the footage, the Met Police decided not to investigate
It led to Hanson being jailed for a year for a total of five offences. These included four burglaries and one assault on an M&S employee, The Telegraph reported.
Officers studied the footage of Hanson breaking through a glass window of M&S before making off with the pricey goods and quickly recognised him as well-known shoplifter in the area.
Mr McKelvey told the paper: 'He was wearing the same clothing as worn during the burglary.
'He was detained and immediately admitted the recent burglary and an earlier burglary at the same premises
