Jake Ahmed, a 25-year-old with no fixed address, has been sentenced to six years in prison after a series of violent and threatening crimes across Cheltenham. The Gloucester Crown Court handed down the sentence on June 10 following Ahmed’s guilty pleas to multiple charges including burglary, theft, and public order offences.
The criminal rampage began in November 2025 when Ahmed was caught on CCTV shoplifting three bottles of whiskey, which he tried to hide down his trousers in a local supermarket. When confronted by staff and security, he threatened to kill them and used racially abusive language before leaving the store.
On April 28, 2026, Ahmed escalated his behavior at a shop on Cheltenham High Street. When a staff member approached him about stealing £100 worth of steaks, Ahmed pulled out a 10 to 12-inch silver knife and waved it threateningly. Fearing for their life, the employee fled while Ahmed left with the stolen meat.
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In early May, Ahmed forced entry into a boutique by smashing the glass door with a plant pot and repeatedly kicking it in. After being disturbed by the owner, he fled but soon targeted a nearby tattoo parlour the same night. CCTV footage showed Ahmed forcibly breaking into the parlour, stealing a thermal tattoo copier valued at approximately £900.
Arrested the following day, Ahmed admitted to the offences but claimed he did not remember most of them due to being under the influence of Xanax. He confessed to stealing simply “because he could” without any intention to pay.
PC Josh Govier of the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team expressed relief at the sentence, highlighting Ahmed’s lack of remorse and disregard for the victims affected by his actions.
Ahmed was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228 in addition to his prison term, marking the end of his violent spree that threatened the safety and security of Cheltenham’s community.