4 days ago
Man who smashed Ipswich shop windows with skateboard jailed
A man caused nearly £100,000 of damage when he smashed shop windows across a town centre with his skateboard. Suffolk Police arrested Thomas Jeffrey at Majors Corner in Ipswich on suspicion of criminal damage at 00:40 BST on 1 May. Ipswich Crown Court heard how businesses, including restaurants and cafes, corner shops, a bank, opticians and a charity shop, along seven roads in the town, were attacked. Jeffrey, 35, of Horseman Court in Martlesham Heath, admitted 16 counts of criminal damage at an earlier hearing. He was sentenced to two months in prison on July but will not serve more time due to the time already spent in custody.
The court heard how two of the counts of criminal damage related to costs of more than £5,000. Jeffrey was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154.
Jeffrey was also found to be in breach of a Community Behaviour Order (CBO) which he was handed in October 2024 and was ordered to pay a £50 fine. A further two-year CBO, that he was given in November 2024, will continue. PC Katelin Humphrey, of Suffolk Police, said numerous people across the town had been affected by the incident. "Jeffrey caused an overwhelming amount of damage to multiple premises which has had a significant financial impact on the numerous victims, and caused disruption to many people in the community," she said. "His actions resulted in nearly £100,000 worth of damage and shows his blatant disregard for the law or for the property of others. It is only right that this level of offending is reflected in his sentence."
Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
