Man remanded in custody after being accused of lashing out at staff and public during coffee theft

Jay Marsh, 30, has been remanded in custody after police charged him for shoplifting offences in Portsmouth following an investigation.

Marsh, of Hudson Road, Southsea, allegedly stole jars of coffee totalling £13.50 from Farmfoods store on Fratton Road on January 15 when he was confronted by two members of staff who police say were assaulted along with a member of public.

There was also damage to store windows following the incident just after 9am, police said.

Marsh is also accused of stealing meat products worth £27 from Co-op on Havant Road on November 19 at 6.15pm.

Marsh has been charged with two shoplifting offences, two counts of criminal damage and three assaults.

He has been remanded in custody and will appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

The investigation was part of Operation Monster, which sees Portsmouth officers work with businesses to tackle aggravated shoplifting and other offences against them.

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