AN EARLY release prisoner who praised Labour’s scheme is back behind bars after going on a shoplifting spree – just hours after winning his freedom.
“Prolific” shoplifter Michael Bogle swiped over £100 of washing powder from supermarket shelves just 24 hours after his release, sending cops on a frantic manhunt.
Bogle, from Brent, northwest London, was arrested on Monday and pleaded guilty on Tuesday, where he was sentenced to eight months in .
The registered sex offender stole £43.50 of laundry detergent from a in Wembley on the evening of his release – the same offence he was originally locked up for.
He went on to nab a further £98.85 of detergent over the next three days.
Bogle was also spotted entering a store three times to steal, despite being banned from going near the store – a breach that can carry up to five years in jail.
Just hours after being set free from Wandsworth on October 1, he said the early release scheme was “good” .
He told reporters the government should “keep it going” and that he was going to celebrate his newfound freedom by having “some kebabs”.
The former bus driver said that conditions inside the were “awful”.
Matt Twist, the ‘s assistant commissioner, was startled by how quickly Bogle had reoffended.
“While it is not surprising that someone with this went on to reoffend, the speed with which he did so, and the impact on frontline policing, is astonishing,” he said.
“Just one day after his release, he was captured on CCTV stealing from two supermarkets in north-west London.”
The crook – who has 16 convictions linked to over 100 alleged offences, including theft, criminal damage and indecent exposure – was among 700 convicts released from prison last Thursday.
But while the scheme may be easing strains on prison staff, the burden is moving elsewhere, with cops claiming they are overstretched by wayward ex-offenders.
Officers had spent an “entire day” locating Bogle and bringing him back to custody, where he was charged with four counts of shoplifting.
Met Commissioner warned today that officers were arresting two or three early release offenders every week.
“In the last few days, we’ve arrested somebody within a couple of days of them being early released because they were a prolific offender, multiple shoplifting and other breaches,” he said.
“They were released early and went straight into a town centre in north-west London, committing multiple offences. My office has spent a couple of days chasing them down, got hold of them. They’re back inside now.”
, the shadow home secretary, said: “Labour let out this prolific offender early last Thursday – and he has already embarked on a spree, stealing and creating misery.
“The Government did not even bother to tag all offenders on release, as they said they would, leaving criminals free to commit crime. Labour’s reckless and botched release scheme is unleashing a crime wave already.
“They did not need to do this. There are prison places available that could be used now with a little work. And it shows why the Conservative plan to build 50,000 more prison places is so important.”
Around 4,500 criminals with longer sentences – including some who have served more than 12 years – will be released early into communities over the next 10 months.
