A shoplifter who repeatedly targeted Canterbury supermarkets has been jailed and banned from four stores across the city.
Billie-Jo Darling, 30, was sentenced to 120 days at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on 8 February 2022 for 11 offences of theft.
As part of her sentence, the court imposed a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) which forbids her from entering Asda and Aldi in Sturry Road, M&S in Lambeth Road, and Sainsbury’s in Old Dover Road.
Offences
An investigation by Canterbury’s Victim-Based Crime Team led to Darling being charged with a series of thefts from shops around the city.
She admitted two thefts from a shop in Marshwood Close in April 2021, and nine further offences relating to the theft of mainly alcohol from the supermarkets from which she is now banned, between 27 December 2021 and 31 January 2022.
The breach of a CBO is an offence and, should she enter any of the stores following her release, Darling could be brought back before the court and further sentenced.
Protecting victims
Sergeant John Woodward, of Canterbury’s Victim-Based Crime Team, said: ‘My officers are determined to protect businesses in Canterbury from the attentions of repeat offenders like Billie-Jo Darling.
‘I am pleased that the thorough investigation we carried out has illustrated to the court the number of offences she had committed and the necessity of this CBO.
‘The message to shoplifters is clear: Kent Police will gather the evidence needed to bring you to justice, and use every option open to us to protect businesses and their staff.’
Sergeant John Woodward