"The 17-year-old is alleged to have brazenly swiped cosmetic products from the shelves in dozens of raids on the London branches of the high street giant over the last two years. It is said he was caught on CCTV repeatedly loading a bag with items before walking out without paying. The boy, who cannot be named because of his age, has been charged with 53 counts of shoplifting from Boots, as well as four allegations of shoplifting at Holland and Barrett."
"He stood before magistrates at Highbury Corner Youth Court on Monday as the case was adjourned for a month because of the sheer volume of CCTV evidence that lawyers need to assess. "These are serious charges, there is a lot of revenue lost with high-value cosmetic products selected," said prosecutor Jyothi Somavarapu. "There are a huge number of individuals entering these stores, taking items and covering their heads so that it is tricky for the investigating officers.""
The 17-year-old is accused of repeatedly stealing high-value cosmetic products from multiple Boots stores across London and other boroughs between April 2024 and October 2025. Police say CCTV captured him loading a bag with items and leaving without paying in dozens of alleged raids. Court charges list 53 counts at Boots and four at Holland and Barrett, with alleged losses of £129,974.50 from Boots and nearly £2,500 from Holland and Barrett. The case was adjourned for a month to allow review of extensive CCTV evidence. Magistrates released the teenager on bail with a condition banning him from all Boots and Holland and Barrett stores in England and Wales unless accompanied by a family member.
Read at www.standard.co.uk
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