Persistent thief who ignored a court order banning him from shops in Peterborough is jailed

Josh Turner (23) was made subject to a criminal behaviour order that should have stopped him from going into branches of Tesco, TK Maxx, and Co-op in Peterborough.

But a court heard how Turner had ignored the order and had gone into Tesco in Staniland Way, Werrington, and stolen alcohol and other items worth about £60.

The theft occurred on November 1 and just 11 days later Turner returned to the store and this time stole alcohol and chocolate worth more than £100.

Later that day he went to Boots, in the Bretton Centre, where he attempted to steal baby milk worth about £200.

Although he was detained by security staff he managed to smash his way out of a fire exit and ran off.

However, he was identified and arrested by officers from the police’s Spree Offender Team on November 20..

Turner, of no known address, admitted three counts of theft from a shop, two of breaching a criminal behaviour order and criminal damage.

He was jailed for 38 weeks, including the activation of a six-week suspended sentence, at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on November 21.

PC Joe Malton, from the Spree Offender Team, said: “Turner is a persistent thief who appears intent on relentlessly stealing, despite a court order and being subject to a suspended sentence.

“He was fully aware of the stipulations of the criminal behaviour order but simply chose to ignore them.

“I’m pleased Turner was apprehended and has now been jailed for his actions.

“Our team focuses on some of the most prolific offenders in the county. Many of these are involved in retail crime and we will continue to work with local businesses to tackle the issue.”