Police warning as teen shoplifter sentenced for targeting two stores in Ringwood

“ACTIONS have very real consequences” was the police warning after stealing from two Ringwood stores earned a 13-year-old shoplifter a criminal record.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to both offences when he appeared at Southampton Youth Court.

On 1st October 2023, he stole motor oil and sweets from the Esso petrol station on The Bridges, and he took scratch cards from Central Stores on Parsonage Barn Lane on 25th March 2024.

Handed a three-month youth rehabilitation order, the youth was also told to pay £71 court charges.

Welcoming the outcome, Ringwood & Fordingbridge Neighbourhood Policing Team Sgt Chris Pell said: “During the two incidents, businesses in the local area were impacted, something we won’t tolerate, no matter what the age of the offender.”

Sgt Pell stressed police would mostly work with youth offending teams and local services to divert young offenders from crime. He said this had had a “huge impact” on reducing young offending.

But he continued: “There’s a small minority, however, whose offending leaves us with no option but to seek prosecution.

“On this specific occasion, it was only right that the impact of this boy’s actions was reflected through the charges that were brought to court.

“As a result of this individual’s actions, he will now have a criminal record.

“Getting a criminal record at such a young age can have a detrimental impact on a person’s future, so I really hope that this can be a lesson to other young people that actions have very real consequences, not only to victims, but also to you as the offender.”

He added: “I hope the outcome at court and the referral order imposed here will help to protect the community as a whole going forward, as well as divert this boy away from any further criminality.”