A 24-year-old man has been jailed for stealing more than £1,500 worth of goods from shops in Plymouth and will be banned from entering participating businesses after his release, Devon and Cornwall Police said.
Liam Dix, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to 23 counts of shoplifting. Police said the offences took place between August and October and involved items including coffee, confectionery and energy drinks.
Dix appeared at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on 6 October and was sentenced to 40 weeks in prison. The court also made a two-year criminal behaviour order (CBO).
Police said the order will ban Dix from entering any business in Plymouth that is part of Plymouth Against Retail Crime (PARC), which has more than 900 retailers. It also bans him from entering any Co-op or Morrisons Daily store in Devon and Cornwall.
The CBO requires Dix to leave a retail premises if asked by an employee and return any stock he has selected. He must also engage with support services during the order. The court ordered him to pay compensation to the businesses he stole from.
Inspector Paul Laity said the outcome would provide respite to the affected businesses.
“We hope this sentencing sends a clear message that shoplifting will not be tolerated in the city,” he said. “Our officers remain committed to identifying and arresting offenders who cause harm in communities, putting them before the courts.”
Inspector Laity said police would continue working with communities, partners and retailers to tackle business crime.
Photographs © Devon & Cornwall Police