In Pour Taste: Wine Thief Jailed

A wine thief, who snatched thirteen bottles worth £8,100 from a Square Mile restaurant, has been jailed.

Shahed Ahmed, 41, of Thrawl Street, Whitechapel ventured into the neighbouring City of London to target Eataly in Bishopsgate.

He pleaded guilty to stealing the bottles of wine in the early hours of February 9 and was sentenced to seventeen weeks imprisonment.

City of London Police officers analysed CCTV footage at the venue, which showed Ahmed stealing the wine whilst wearing a distinctive jacket and hat. 

Ahmed was arrested the next day by City officers still wearing the jacket seen in the footage. 

At the time of arrest Ahmed was also found to have in his possession a small wrap of cocaine.

Ahmed pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates Court for burglary and possession of class A drugs.

Ahmed was jailed just over 48 hours after he was located. 

City of London Police Detective Sergeant Gary Moore, who led the investigation, said: “Our officers quickly identified, located and arrested Ahmed from the CCTV provided to us from Eataly by using our links into the local community.

“The speed in which Ahmed was jailed sends a strong message to criminals in the City that if you commit offences, our officers will swiftly find you and arrest.”