Man sentenced following investigation by the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team

A man has been jailed after CCTV footage showed him breaking into two businesses in Cheltenham and stealing items from inside.

Jake Ahmed, aged 25 and of no fixed address, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court on Wednesday (10 June) and was sentenced to six years imprisonment and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228. 

He had previously pleaded guilty to the following charges: 

• Robbery

• Racially/religiously aggravated harassment/alarm/distress by words, writing or behaviour

• Possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place

• Theft from a shop

• Burglary other than dwelling theft

• Burglary other than dwelling with intent to steal

The charges against Ahmed relate to a series of burglaries from shops and public order offences which took place between November 2025 and May 2026.

Police became aware of Ahmed whilst investigating several reports of burglaries which had taken place across Cheltenham.

On Saturday 29 November police received a report that a man had entered a supermarket and was caught shoplifting on CCTV. The man was seen to select three bottles of whiskey before putting them down his trousers.

The man walked past the tills and security scanners into the entrance area of the store before being stopped by staff and security members.

He was asked to hand over the bottles of whiskey and told to leave the shop. Upon doing so he threatened to kill members of staff and made racially abusive remarks towards them.

On Tuesday 28 April 2026, police received a report that Ahmed had entered a shop on Cheltenham High Street and picked up a large number of steaks worth approximately £100. Ahmed was known for shoplifting and so a member of staff approached and asked him to put the items back.

It was at this moment when Ahmed pulled out a silver knife which was approximately 10 to 12 inches long and began waving it around. 

The employee feared for his life and fled for safety. Ahmed then left the store with the steaks.

On 6 May, police received a report that the owner of a boutique shop was awoken by a banging sound coming from within the premises. She discovered that Ahmed had used a plant pot to smash the front glass door and repeatedly kicked the door before gaining access.

Ahmed entered the property and searched inside before being disturbed by the owner and leaving.

Several hours later police received another call reporting a burglary at a nearby tattoo parlour.

Upon checking CCTV Ahmed was identified as the person responsible for both this burglary and the break in at the boutique.

The CCTV footage showed Ahmed using a brick to smash part of the front glass door to the tattoo parlour and then kicking his way through the door into the property. Once inside he picked up a thermal tattoo copier worth approximately £900 and left with the item.

Ahmed was arrested by officers the following day and taken into police custody for questioning.

During interview Ahmed's lawyer said that he fully admitted to all offences put to him and did not really remember doing most of them as he had probably taken Xanax and was high.

Ahmed said that in relation to the thefts from shops he did not have any reason to be stealing and just did it because he could,  and at no point had he ever planned on paying for the items taken.

He was later charged with several offences and pleaded guilty.

Investigation officer PC Josh Govier from the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "I am pleased that Ahmed has been jailed as he's shown no remorse for his actions and the impact on those targeted.

"During interview Ahmed appeared to find his behaviour funny, without really showing any signs of realising the seriousness of his actions."