Folkestone Magistrates’ Court
A prolific Ashford thief has been swiftly jailed after breaching a court order that banned him from entering shops and supermarkets across the town. Jesse Barton was issued a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) in August 2024 that forbade him from multiple retailers, including Ashford Designer Outlet and the Co-op at Brookfield Court.
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In spite of the restrictions he was placed under, Barton, 37, visited the grocery store on Sunday 5 October 2025 and returned twice the next day, stealing food, alcohol and household goods. He also targeted the Loudon Way Co-op branch, from where he took 180 pounds worth of items without paying for them. On Tuesday 7 October, the thief made off with clothes – valued at £650 – from a retailer at Ashford Designer Outlet, despite being prohibited from entering the Kimberley Way premises. Enquiries led to the arrest of Barton later that day and he was subsequently charged.
Barton, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to five counts of shoplifting and four breaches of a CBO when he appeared before Folkestone magistrates on Thursday 9 October. He was sentenced the same day to five months’ imprisonment.
Inspector Sarah Williams said: ‘In targeting these retailers Barton has shown a blatant disregard for the court order he has been issued, which is in place to protect businesses and communities. The outcome in this case demonstrates how effective CBOs can be, and should serve to warn others who are under similar restrictions not to breach them – or they could soon be facing a spell in prison.’