Prolific shoplifter banned from Plymouth Co-Op

A prolific shoplifter has been banned from entering a supermarket in St Budeaux. Kathryn Williams admitted 23 offences at Plymouth Magistrates' Court on Monday, November 11, targeting a Co-Op store.

She had targeted the same store in Victoria Road over a period of months, stealing meat, doughnuts, cookies, chicken, bacon, cheese, cakes, bread and fish, as well as household items worth a total of several hundred pounds.

Devonport and West Plymouth Police say Williams had previously been told not to attend that shop as part of bail conditions given at the same court. On the same day the condition was given, she went into the store.

Williams, from St Budeaux, is prohibited from entering the shop for two years as part of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) under S22 Anti-social behaviour, crime & policing Act 2014. She may be arrested if she breaches the conditions of the CBO

PC Strong said: “Williams showed no remorse for these incidents. She showed a disregard to the courts after having attended Plymouth Magistrates previously and was given a bail condition to not attend that store. However she did, on the same day she had been given that condition.

“As a result, she was arrested by the local neighbourhood team and brought up before the court again where they issued her with a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order, under S22 Anti-social behaviour, crime & policing Act 2014. These are rarely issued by the courts."

Williams was also ordered to pay £30 compensation to the store following her latest offence.

A Criminal Behaviour Order - often abbreviated to a CBO - was granted with the singular condition: for Williams not to enter the Co-operative store in Victoria Road, Plymouth.

Sector Inspector Paul Laity said: “This is excellent result for the local community. The neighbourhood team works tirelessly to prevent antisocial behaviour and shoplifting, and the CBO will help prevent Williams from causing this.

“Should she breach these conditions, she is liable to be arrested.”

According to the Sentencing Council, the maximum sentence in a Magistrates' Court for breaching a CBO is six months. However, if the matter is elevated to the Crown Court the maximum sentence is up to five years in custody.