Ealing shoplifter jailed and banned from Greggs, BP and Holland & Barrett

A shoplifter known to police as “Red Bull Guy” has been jailed after carrying out dozens of thefts across Ealing and Shepherd’s Bush.

Michael Belgrave, 55, of no fixed address, was sentenced to nine months in prison after being convicted of 43 shoplifting offences at Ealing Magistrates’ Court last week (12 June 2026).

Belgrave became known to Metropolitan Police officers because of his repeated thefts of Red Bull and other energy drinks from shops across west London. Police linked him to a string of offences before identifying him through facial recognition technology and arresting him on 10 June 2026.

As part of his sentence, Belgrave was also handed a Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from entering any Greggs, BP or Holland & Barrett store in the UK for the next five years.

The order was imposed after officers linked him to repeated thefts from businesses across Ealing and Shepherd’s Bush.

Superintendent Sean Lynch, who leads neighbourhood policing in Ealing, said: “We are committed to tackling issues that have a real impact on businesses and communities – including shoplifting.

“In the last year, the Met solved nearly twice as many cases while arresting almost 50 per cent more suspects.

“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.”