A thief who showed 'disregard' for local businesses has been jailed.

Samuel Holliday has been sentenced to a total of 28 weeks imprisonment for a string of offences including the theft and handling of stolen goods and possession of drugs and a blade in a public place.

In committing these offences, the 31-year-old also triggered a suspended sentence of 48 weeks.

PC James Rowley of the Congleton Neighbourhood Policing team said: "Holliday's disregard for local businesses and vulnerable members of the community was clear in his offending and now he is paying the price for his criminal activity.

"His actions have taken up a large amount of police resources across numerous departments, so we welcome the result.

"A joint effort between local officers led to the prompt detainment of Holliday on December 7 where he was remanded into custody to prevent further offences.

"We are committed to protecting businesses against repeat offenders and will continue to bring thieves to justice.''

Samuel Holliday, 31 and of Shaw Close in Congleton (Credit: Cheshire Police)

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Holliday, of Shaw Close in Congleton, appeared at Crewe Magistrates for a trial on February 2 but changed his plea to guilty for four counts of theft from a shop, and one count of handling stolen goods.

He had already admitted to separate charges of possession of a controlled drug of Class B (cannabis/cannabis resin), possession of a class C controlled drug (Midazolam) and possession of a class C controlled drug (Alprazolam).

Holliday was then bailed to appear in the same court for a further trial on February 9 for possession of a blade in a public place and was subsequently found guilty.

This related to his arrest on September 6, 2025, when officers stop searched him in Congleton.

The aforementioned drugs and a razor blade were found in his bag.

Meanwhile, in relation to the theft offences, between November 9 and November 26 last year, Holliday targeted the Shell garage on Clayton Bypass, Farm Foods on Barn Road, and Morrisons Daily on St Johns Road on two occasions.

The handling of stolen goods referred to trainers, perfume and electrical items found at his home address that he could not account for.

In total, Holliday stole more than £400 worth of goods from the shops over the course of the month.

Thankfully, he wass captured stealing on CCTV, with officers making the arrest on December 7.

He was given a sentence of six weeks for the theft and handling stolen goods offences and 22 weeks for the drug and blade possession.