A shoplifter banned from multiple supermarkets throughout Kent has been swiftly jailed after continuing to target Gillingham businesses.
Clive Tilley was issued with a criminal behaviour order at Medway Magistrates’ Court on 27 July 2023, which prohibited him from entering any Co-op, Sainsbury’s, or Tesco premises in the county. However, between Monday 29 April and Friday 3 May 2024, Tilley breached the conditions of his order whilst committing several shoplifting offences at two separate stores.
Items including meat, confectionary, alcohol and cleaning products were stolen from Tesco in Sturdee Avenue and the Co-op in Canterbury Street. The value of the property taken was estimated to be around £400.
The incidents were investigated and, on Friday 3 May, he was arrested by neighbourhood officers in the town centre. Tilley, of no fixed address, was later charged by investigators from the Medway Victim Based Crime Team, with seven thefts and seven breaches of his criminal behaviour order. The 41-year-old pleaded guilty at his first hearing before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday 6 May, and was immediately jailed for a year.
Inspector Mick Hayes, of the Medway Community Safety Unit, said:
‘We are continuing our focus on retail crime as can be seen by the imprisonment of another prolific shoplifter.
‘Our neighbourhood officers are aware of those who regularly offend on their beat and any who target local businesses should expect to be detained at an early stage.
‘Investigators will then ensure they are charged and, where appropriate, placed before the court to answer for their conduct.’