Charlotte Jones, a 35-year-old prolific thief, has been sentenced to 16 weeks in prison after stealing over £1,000 worth of luxury chocolate from Hotel Chocolat and Waterstones in Nottingham. Jones was already subject to a criminal behaviour order banning her from certain shops in the city centre when she committed the thefts.
Details of the thefts
In January, Jones was ordered to complete a rehabilitation course after being caught stealing £851 worth of chocolate from Hotel Chocolat. However, in June, she struck again, stealing £156.79 of chocolate from a Waterstones store on Bridlesmith Gate. When arrested, she asked the officer, 'Why are you doing this to me?' The officer responded, 'I saw you walking past my car and you're wanted, so I got you.'
Jones pleaded with the officer, saying, 'Can't you let me go please? I don't want to go to prison, I don't need to go to prison. I f***ing hate you guys.' She later pleaded guilty at Nottingham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Impact on businesses
Sergeant Jono Pothecary of Nottinghamshire Police's Priority Tasking Team described Jones as 'a menace who has caused absolute misery to the shops she has targeted including Hotel Chocolat and Waterstones.' He added, 'Having Jones off the streets should be welcomed by Nottingham stores who had to endure her persistent offending. I hope this spell behind bars might actually make her think about her actions.'
Jones was also ordered to pay £156.79 in compensation. The court imposed the custodial sentence due to her breach of the criminal behaviour order and the persistent nature of her offending.
Police warning to shoplifters
Sergeant Pothecary emphasized the effectiveness of criminal behaviour orders in tackling business crime: 'Criminal Behaviour Orders are an excellent way to remove shoplifters from our high streets. Not only does the order ban them from city centre shops but if they breach their order, they are likely to spend time behind bars.'
He concluded, 'I hope this serves as a timely warning to those thinking of doing the same and shows our commitment to tackling business crime in the city centre.'
