Police have called a thief’s actions as “brazen” after Farid Lahfa of St Mary’s Court, Eastgate, Peterborough, was jailed after stealing “several perfumes and medicines” from City Pharmacy in Peterborough on May 5.

When the 45-year-old man entered the pharmacy, he handed over his details to pick up his medication.

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CCTV footage then shows that while staff retrieved his prescription, he stole the items and hid them in his coat pockets.

Lahfa was arrested on May 29 for theft, and also for another charge of theft from a Sainsbury’s in Peterborough on May 22.

He admitted both charges at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court on May 30 and Lahfa has been jailed for 32 weeks as the sentence partly activated a suspended sentence for shoplifting offences.

He was also ordered to pay £328.93 in compensation.

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Cambridge Constabulary’s PC Jack Jenkins said the incident “shows how brazen he is and his complete disregard for the law”.

“The team will continue to work closely with businesses across the city centre to tackle retail crime by identifying those involved and arresting them,” he added.

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It comes after a pharmacist received a motorbike ban over riding at “recklessly high speeds”

And a Scottish pharmacy remained open despite a fire damaging its roof and an outside building, leading to around £200 of stock being disposed of.