Burglar detained inside Dartford supermarket

A burglar has been caught in the act of stealing multiple packs of cigarettes from a Dartford supermarket.

At around 1.45am on Sunday 25 May, a Kent Police patrol was called to an alarm sounding at the Tesco Express in Henderson Drive.

Arriving promptly at the scene, the officers saw a window at the front of the store had been smashed.

Movement could be seen inside and, on approaching the premises, Tom O’Neil raised his hands and surrendered to the constables.

Arrested

He was arrested and a later review of CCTV showed Mr O’Neil entering the shop holding a shovel and duvet cover, before leaping over a counter to help himself to packets of cigarettes.

Mr O’Neil, of Baden Road, Gillingham was later charged with burglary. The 41 year old pleaded guilty at his first appearance before Medway Magistrates’ Court on the following day.

He was conditionally bailed to a hearing at the same court on Thursday 24 July.