Man who stole candles and bike and assaulted security guard jailed

Liam Marshall of no fixed abode was sentenced to seven months at Cambridge Crown Court on Saturday after previously pleading guilty to nine counts of theft, theft of a pedal cycle, going equipped to steal, common assault and possession of a knife.

On three occasions on October 8, 10 and 18 he stole hundreds of pounds worth of Yankee candles from B&M at the Beehive Centre in Cambridge.

Between September 27 and February 11 he also stole meat, sweets and wine from the Co-Op in Milton Road, a bike work more than £500 from Anglia House, children’s clothing from Next in Sidney Street, perfume and five face and body trimmers worth £250 from Boots in Petty Curry.

The 31-year-old assaulted a security guard at Boots on February 11 and was found carrying bolt croppers and a knife in his bag.

Marshall has also been handed a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) not to enter any Boots, Next, Co-Op, TK Maxx or B&M stores in Cambridge. He is also banned from the Grafton Centre, Grand Arcade, Lion Yard and Beehive Centre and any shops or retail premises within.

PC Jamie Tumber said: “Marshall’s offending has caused upset and damage to the community in which he lives. We hope this sentence will give him the time he needs to address his behaviour and a fresh start.

“CBOs are obtained through close partnership working with organisations including Cambridge Business Against Crime (CAMBAC) and one of the methods we use in the city to tackle shop theft. I would encourage businesses to report any breaches to us.”