Viral M&S shoplifter jailed and banned from City of London for five years

A shoplifter who went viral after being caught on camera brazenly stealing from a central London supermarket in front of shocked staff has been jailed for three months.

Duane Moss, 42, of Highbury New Park, Islington, pleaded guilty to five counts of theft, after footage showed him openly stealing and pushing his way past security barriers at Marks and Spencer.

He was also handed a criminal behaviour order banning him from entering the Square Mile for five years.

Moss had repeatedly targeted the same M&S Food store on High Holborn.

Sergeant James Wood, of City of London Police, said: “This is a reminder to any shoplifter who thinks they can steal from businesses in the City: we will find you and bring you before the courts.

“We will use all our resources in keeping businesses and members of the public safe. Duane Moss had committed these offences with no thought or consideration to anybody he had come across.

“This CBO will act as a deterrent to reoffending. If Moss breaches his CBO, he could face further jail time.”

The City of London Police’s proactive acquisitive crime team focuses on crimes such as theft of bags, phone snatches and shoplifting.

The dedicated team is pursuing criminals who prey on those out in the City. The force maintains that arrests are disrupting those involved in serious organised crime.