A major problem many shops in all corners of Oldham face is shoplifting, with criminals often stealing large quantities of items.

The Oldham Times has picked out some shoplifters in Oldham who have appeared before the courts in recent weeks.

Man stole power washer

An Oldham man has avoided prison after stealing a power washer in the borough.

Jason McTighe, of Huxley Street, Oldham, went into B&M on Chadderton Way on February 28, where he stole a Dual Wax Power Washer worth £104.50.

Exactly a month later, on March 23, the 41-year-old went into the Morrisons in Hollinwood and stole £298 worth of L'Oreal face creams and an electric toothbrush.

At Stockport Magistrates' Court on April 25, McTighe pleaded guilty to both counts of theft and was sentenced.

He was sentenced to six weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to attend 12 days of rehabilitation activity requirement.

McTighe was also made to pay compensation for the two thefts, bringing his costs to £402.50.

Meat and booze stolen from Aldi

A Rochdale man has also narrowly avoided prison after stealing items in Oldham, as well as committing an assault.

Ansar Mohammad, of Conisborough, Rochdale, went into an Aldi shop in Oldham on November 6 last year and stole three bottles of whiskey.

Two days later, the 46-year-old was in an Aldi shop in the borough once again and stole meat items to an unknown value.

On the same day in Oldham, Mohammad assaulted a man.

On April 22, he appeared at Manchester Magistrates' Court having already pleaded guilty to the two thefts and assault in January.

Mohammad was also sentenced for four other counts of theft, all of which took place in Rochdale,

He was handed a prison sentence of 12 weeks, suspended for 12 months, and must undergo drug rehabilitation for a year, as well as 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirement.

He must also pay compensation totalling £123, including £100 to the victim of the assault, and has been banned from all Iceland, B&M, Matalan, Co-op and Aldi stores in Oldham and Rochdale for five years.

Man targeted B&M 

Another man to travel from Rochdale to Oldham to shoplift targeted B&M shops in the borough.

Wesley Lack, of Queens Drive, Rochdale, first stole from a B&M shop in Oldham on March 14, where he shoplifted items including coffee, cheese and biscuits, to a total value of £90.58.

A month later, on April 14, the 37-year-old was in a B&M Oldham store again, where he stole two air fresheners, worth £26, before returning a day later to steal more air fresheners worth £10.98.

Lack appeared at Tameside Magistrates' Court on April 16 and pleaded guilty to the three thefts, alongside one at a Co-op shop in Rochdale.

He received eight weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to pay £90 in compensation for the theft in Rochdale.