A 52-year-old man from Bootle has been banned from entering any B&M or Boots store across Merseyside, as well as two streets in Sefton, under a criminal behaviour order (CBO).
Court outcome and sentencing
Paul McKenzie Stewart, of St Edmonds Road, Bootle, faced three charges of shop theft from the One Stop Shop in Formby. He pleaded not guilty but was later convicted. At Sefton Magistrates' Court on July 14, he received a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, along with an extended CBO lasting two years.
The order, effective until August 13, 2028, also prohibits Stewart from entering several other shops: Spar on Harington Road, Formby; One Stop Shop on Cross Green, Formby; Sainsbury's on Liverpool Road, Crosby; Lidl on Virginia Street, Southport; and Tesco Express on Coronation Road, Crosby. Additionally, he is barred from South Road in Waterloo and Derby Road in Southport.
Police response
Neighbourhood policing Inspector Ken Sumner commented: “Shop theft has a significant impact on businesses, their staff and the wider community. Retailers should be able to operate without suffering repeated theft and the associated costs and disruption that these offences cause.”
Sumner added: “This result demonstrates our commitment to tackling repeat offenders and supporting businesses across our communities. Criminal behaviour orders are an effective tool in preventing further offending and protecting retailers from those who persistently commit crime.”
He emphasised that working with the Merseyside Antisocial Behaviour Partnership, police are using all available powers to address anti-social behaviour and retail crime. “Stewart is now subject to strict conditions, and if he breaches any part of this order, he will be arrested, brought back before the courts and could face imprisonment,” Sumner said.
Members of the public who witness Stewart breaching the order or committing further offences are urged to report it to Merseyside Police via social media @MerPolCC or by calling 101.
