Greggs 'Hamster' Thief Adam Gosling Avoids Jail After 38 Heists at Same Store
A prolific thief, nicknamed 'The Hamster' by staff, has been caught on camera brazenly stealing from a Greggs bakery in Greenford, west London, on 38 separate occasions. Adam Gosling, 39, was spared jail despite his six-week theft spree, which amounted to £1,817.50 in stolen goods.
Six-Week Theft Spree Captured on CCTV
Between December 30, 2025, and February 10, 2026, Gosling targeted the same Greggs branch repeatedly, with thefts ranging from £12.30 to £100 per visit. On some days, he raided the shop multiple times, as detailed in the charge sheet presented at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court. Prosecutors revealed that his actions had a significant impact on the business.
Footage released by the Metropolitan Police shows Gosling openly taking drinks from the shop's fridge. In one clip, wearing a hood over a cap, he fills a carrier bag with multiple Lucozade bottles while a staff member is nearby. The staff member then enters a back door, and Gosling walks out unchallenged.
Brazen Thefts in Plain Sight
Another clip depicts Gosling, this time with a face covering, continuing to swipe drinks from the fridge as a staff member leans in, seemingly trying to identify him. The staff member leaves through the same back door, and Gosling exits the shop. A third clip shows him emptying the fridge of Lucozade bottles and taking other drinks. A staff member appears to notice him, enters the back door, and returns with a tablet, but Gosling simply walks past and exits, leaving the fridge door open.
Staff at the Greenford Broadway branch began logging each theft due to the high number of incidents involving food and drink. Police community support officer James Tupman noted that one man, dubbed 'Hamster' by staff, became the 'most prolific' thief. Officers identified him as Gosling through CCTV footage and arrested him on February 10.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
The defendant, who the court heard is currently homeless, pleaded guilty to 38 counts of theft from a shop. Chairwoman of the magistrates' bench Judy Gregg sentenced him to four months in prison, suspended for one year. This means Gosling will avoid jail unless he reoffends within that period.
Superintendent Sean Lynch, who leads neighbourhood policing in Ealing, commented on the case, stating, 'We are committed to tackling issues that have a real impact on businesses and communities – including shoplifting. In the last year, theft offences have fallen by 8.3% in Ealing and 9.5% across the Met as a whole. While we recognise there is more to do to continue to drive down crime, our officers will continue to work with their communities and businesses to tackle repeat offenders and bring them to justice.'
Partnership Efforts and Impact
Mr. Tupman emphasized the importance of collaboration, writing after Gosling was charged, 'This result is the direct outcome of strong partnership work with Greggs staff, who have been exceptionally proactive in recording offences and supporting our investigation. The volume of thefts had a significant impact on the business and our officers worked tirelessly to gather evidence, identify the offender and put long-term measures in place to prevent reoffending.'
The case highlights ongoing efforts to combat shoplifting in London, with police noting a decrease in theft offences but acknowledging the need for continued vigilance. The Metropolitan Police's Greenford Broadway safer neighbourhood team used the Met Engage platform to address the issue, showcasing how community and business partnerships can lead to successful outcomes in crime prevention.
