### Notorious Welsh Shoplifter Sees Sentence Reduced by Judge After Appeal
A Swansea man, widely recognised by police as a “professional” shoplifter for his prolific record of offences, has had his prison sentence reduced following an appeal at Swansea Crown Court. Christopher Ready, well-known to criminal justice authorities with a staggering 121 offences on his record, including 70 for shoplifting over a 30-year period, managed to have his latest sentence trimmed by a week after judicial review.
Ready, of Griffith John Street in Dyfatty, Swansea, was most recently sentenced to 18 weeks in custody after being caught on CCTV walking out of the Farm Foods supermarket in the city’s Parc Tawe retail park with 13 steaks worth approximately £70. The offence, committed on 12 June, saw him swiftly identified and apprehended by the police after he made a full admission in interview, stating he had no money and was desperate for food.
During his initial appearance at Swansea Magistrates’ Court, Ready pleaded guilty without hesitation. But following his sentencing, he disputed the severity of the penalty, prompting an appeal. His barrister, Regan Walters, submitted that either the starting point for the custodial sentence was disproportionately high given the relatively modest value of the goods taken, or that Ready had not received appropriate credit for his early guilty plea.
In court, it emerged that this was Ready’s tenth shoplifting offence of 2025 alone. His criminal history paints a picture of persistent offending, with at least three shoplifting convictions already this year. In January, he received a 12-week sentence for the theft of protein powder tubs from a Holland & Barrett branch. A month later, he was handed a 16-week prison term for a similar act. In April, Ready was again sentenced to 18 weeks for a spree of thefts targeting discount chains and local convenience shops, which included items such as washing detergents, cold meats, and a pair of trainers.
Representing Ready during the appeal, barrister Ryan Bowen conceded the defendant’s record was “deeply unpleasant” and demonstrated a worrying, long-standing pattern of criminal conduct. Nevertheless, Bowen argued there were mitigating factors that ought to have been given more weight when Ready was sentenced at the magistrates’ court.
Presiding at the appeal hearing, Judge Catherine Richards addressed the court, acknowledging Ready’s persistent reoffending and describing him as a “professional thief” who had made shoplifting his way of life. Judge Richards emphasised that the magistrates were right to consider custody as an appropriate response, and she was satisfied that the increased starting point for Ready’s record could not be faulted.
However, the judge allowed the appeal in part and determined that the appropriate sentence should have been 17 weeks rather than 18, resulting in Ready’s prison time being reduced by one week. The ruling was reached after considering the mitigating factors put forward by the defence, particularly Ready’s immediate admission of guilt.
This case has once again brought into focus the ongoing challenges posed by repeat offenders within the retail industry. Many shopkeepers in Wales and across the UK have spoken out about the pressures of petty thefts on their livelihoods, as well as the burden persistent offenders place on police and court resources.
Ready’s conviction and subsequent appeal highlight not only individual responsibility but also the complex social issues frequently underpinning shoplifting, such as poverty and addiction. While courts must balance public protection and deterrence, the predicament of shop owners and the impact on local communities cannot be overlooked.
As Wales continues to contend with issues of repeat offending and recidivism, the justice system’s approach to sentencing remains under scrutiny, with calls for more effective long-term interventions alongside traditional custodial sentences.