Man, 25, jailed for six years for burglary spree

A man has been imprisoned for six years after he committed a string of burglaries across Cheltenham, including one which saw him waving a knife.

Jake Ahmed, 25 and of no fixed address, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to charges relating to public order offences and a series of burglaries from shops in the town.

The charges against Ahmed, including robbery, related to offences which took place between November 2025 and May 2026.

"I am pleased that Ahmed has been jailed as he has shown no remorse for his actions and the impact on those targeted," said PC Josh Govier of Gloucestershire Police.

The other charges faced by Ahmed included racially/religiously aggravated harassment, possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place, theft from a shop, burglary other than dwelling theft, and burglary other than dwelling with intent to steal.

Police became aware of Ahmed while investigating several reports of burglaries that had taken place across Cheltenham, including an incident on 29 November which saw him put three bottles of whiskey down his trousers.

After being confronted, he threated to kill members of staff and made racially abusive remarks towards them.

On 28 April, Ahmed entered a shop on Cheltenham High Street and picked up a large number of steaks valued at approximately £100, the court heard.

As he was known for shoplifting, a member of staff asked Ahmed to put the items back.

He reacted by pulling out a silver knife of approximately 10-12in (25-30cm) and he began waving it around.

The employee feared for his life and fled while Ahmed left the store with the steaks, police said.

During another incident Ahmed use a brick to break into a tattoo parlour, where he stole a £900 thermal tattoo copier - the equipment used by artists to print out stencils to apply to the skin of clients.

Ahmed was arrested on 7 May and, during police questioning, his lawyer said he fully admitted all offences put to him, although he could not remember most of them as he had taken Xanax, or alprazolam, an anxiety medication and Class C controlled substance.

"During interview Ahmed appeared to find his behaviour funny without really showing any signs of realising the seriousness of his actions," Govier, from the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team, said.

Ahmed was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228.

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