Man banned from shops by Criminal Behaviour Order
Persistent shoplifter was 'aggressive and intimidating'
A COURT has imposed a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order on an “aggressive and intimidating” persistent shoplifter.
The order prevents 35-year-old Stewart Perry of Newtown Road, Newbury, from entering a range of town stores.
If he breaches it he could be fined or even sent to prison for up to five years.
Helen Waite, prosecuting, told Newbury magistrates on Thursday last week: “This defendant has already received a suspended sentence for an assault committed during the course of an attempted shoplifting at Sainsbury’s.
“I think it’s fair to say that, during a number of shopliftings when he has been apprehended by store staff, he has behaved in an aggressive and intimidating way towards them.”
She added: “We’re not talking £20 here and there – he is stealing quite substantial amounts.”
Mike Davis, defending, said his client went shoplifting on a regular basis to feed his drug habit.
He added: “Although there was an assault on a security guard who was in the process of detaining him and his then girlfriend, it is not my experience that he is particularly aggressive.
“He is currently subject to a suspended prison sentence of 16 weeks, suspended for 12 months, and is aware that breaching the order would be an offence in itself.”
Magistrates imposed a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order banning Mr Perry from entering the following stores: Sainsbury’s (Hectors Way, Newbury); Co-op Store (Pound Street, Newbury); Waitrose Newbury; Marks and Spencer (Newbury Retail Park); Debenhams (Park Way); Boots (Newbury Retail Park) and Tesco Express (Northfield Road).
The order also prevents Mr Perry from “remaining in any retail establishment in West Berkshire if asked to leave by staff”.
Afterwards, anti-social behaviour officer PC Peter Duffy said: “The order is to target Mr Perry’s persistent offending towards the named shops.
“The order will provide some respite to these stores as it lasts until April 13, 2018.”
