**Serial Thief Sentenced After Spate of Shop Burglaries in Cardiff**
A man has been jailed following a series of brazen thefts in which hundreds of pounds worth of alcohol was taken from small shops across Cardiff. The string of offences, which took place over several days in May, has highlighted ongoing concerns about the risks faced by retail workers and the persistence of repeat offenders.
Karl Legg, aged 39, was brought before Cardiff Crown Court this week as details emerged of his targeted raids on local convenience stores. Accompanied by an associate who served as a distraction, Legg entered multiple premises, including major chains such as Co-op, Spar, Premier Store, and Tesco Express.
According to court proceedings, Legg’s stealing spree began on 5 May at a Co-op store in Pontcanna. There, he and his accomplice managed to remove nearly £200 worth of spirits from behind the counter after engaging a staff member in conversation and attempting to access the till. The pair then made their getaway on bicycles.
Legg’s criminal activity did not stop there. Mere hours later, the duo struck another Co-op location in Danescourt, leaving with spirits valued at £250. The following day, the Premier Store in Canton reported the loss of £182 in alcohol, stolen while an employee was deliberately distracted. During this incident, staff efforts to prevent the escape of the offenders resulted in distress; one shop worker was pushed to the ground as she tried to block the exit and was left in tears afterwards.
The thefts continued over the subsequent days. On 9 May, Legg targeted a Spar shop, stealing almost £100 worth of meat. His final and arguably most costly act took place on 10 May, when he broke into a Tesco Express after trading hours. The burglary resulted in the theft of £320 worth of alcohol and destruction of glass panels, causing further damage estimated at nearly £3,000.
South Wales Police were able to identify Legg, a man of no fixed address, using facial recognition software. He was then arrested and subsequently charged with four counts of burglary and one count of theft from a shop, all of which he admitted in court.
The court was told that Legg’s criminal record is extensive, featuring over 100 previous offences, of which 78 related directly to theft. In mitigation, Legg’s solicitor explained that he had endured a difficult upbringing, having been placed in care at the age of 11 following his mother’s death. The defendant had also been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and was reported to be struggling with separation from his wife and children.
Despite these personal circumstances, presiding judge Carl Harrison concluded that the pattern of offending and the impact on shop workers warranted a substantial custodial sentence. Legg was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.
These incidents have underscored both the vulnerability of small retail businesses to theft and the emotional toll such crimes can take on employees tasked with managing front-line risks. Industry representatives frequently call for greater support and protection for shop workers, particularly in the face of repeat offenders and aggressive behaviour.
Questions remain about how best to tackle the root causes of persistent theft, with some observers highlighting the importance of mental health support in tandem with criminal justice interventions. Meanwhile, Cardiff’s retail community is left counting the cost of a series of damaging incidents.
As the city continues to grapple with such challenges, the outcomes of cases like Legg’s may serve as a warning to others considering similar actions—while reigniting debate on how to foster a safer retail environment for all.