Prolific shoplifter and burglar who stole tens of thousands of pounds worth of goods from shops across Sussex and beyond jailed
A prolific shoplifter who stole tens of thousands of pounds worth of goods from shops across Sussex and beyound has been jailed.
Hampshire man, Brendan Brain, 39, was initially sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on June 25, but appealed part of his sentence, Sussex Police said.
The appeal was rejected at the Court of Appeal, on 16 October 2026. the force confirmed.
A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “Brain’s shoplifting and burglary spree lasted from September 2023 to July 2025.
“His offending spanned from all the way across Sussex from Bexhill to Chichester and beyond into ten other counties: Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Avon & Somerset, Suffolk, Wiltshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Dorset, Devon and Swansea, Wales.
“Brain targeted shops selling luxury personal care, accessories, and tech stealing numerous items.
"His theft receipt included:
“Yves Saint Laurent, Tom Ford, Dior, Coco Chanel, and other designer fragrances
“Dyson Airwraps, straighteners, electric toothbrushes, and other high-value personal grooming tools
“Jo Malone candles
“Designer sunglasses
“Nintendo Switch consoles
“The total bill came to over £31,000, with Brain stealing over £3,500 on one occasion in Sussex.
“He was arrested on June 5, 2025 in connection with offences in Sussex, Devon and Swansea, and swiftly charged the next day with ten counts of theft from a shop, two counts of attempted theft from a shop, and two counts of burglary.
“The wide-reaching investigation continued and officers collaborated closely with Boots Crime Intelligence Team to gather significant evidence, and Brain was linked to a number of further offences in various counties.
“Sussex Police harnessed partnerships with local Business Crime Reduction Partners and a number of forces, to aid the arrest of Brain, and pursuing further enquiries and evidence gathering across all of Brain’s offences.
“Across number of court hearings across the country Brain, pleaded guilty to a total of 37 offences of theft and burglary.
“On September 8 he appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court where he was remanded into custody ahead of his sentencing.
“Brendan Brain, 39, of Oracle Drive, Waterlooville, Hampshire, was sentenced to three years and four months in prison and was given a six-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) which bans him from entering any Boots, Currys, John Lewis, or Tesco store across England and Wales.
“The order also stipulates that he cannot place any item for sale in any shop into anything other than a shopping basket or trolley before making payment for the items.
“Brain was additionally given a rehabilitation order.”
Chief Inspector Olivia Carroll said: “This was an extensive investigation involving significant work in partnership with a number of forces and partners. I’d like to thank those forces and teams for their collaboration throughout the investigation which culminated in a prolific offender being brought to justice for his crimes cross an expansive area.
“Shoplifting will not be tolerated within nor outside of Sussex.
“Sussex Police recognises the impact that shoplifting has on the retail community, and remains committed to holding anyone committing shoplifting offences accountable for their actions, in particular, the most prolific offenders.
“We will continue to use the tools at our disposal to tackle shoplifting, reduce repeat offending, and protect businesses throughout the county.”