Charlotte Jones, a 35-year-old woman from Nottingham, has been sentenced to 16 weeks in prison after stealing more than £1,000 worth of luxury chocolates from Hotel Chocolat and Waterstones. The thefts violated a criminal behaviour order that already banned her from certain shops in Nottingham city centre.
Details of the Thefts
CCTV footage captured Jones stealing £851 worth of Hotel Chocolat selection boxes and gift sets from the same branch on multiple occasions. In a separate incident in June, she was caught on camera taking a tote bag from Waterstones in Bridlesmith Gate and filling it with £156.79 worth of chocolate items. The total value of stolen goods exceeded £1,000.
Previous Conviction and Order
Jones had previously received an 18-week suspended sentence at Nottingham Magistrates' Court in January 2026 for similar offences. As part of that sentence, she was required to complete a rehabilitation course and pay £152 in compensation. A criminal behaviour order prohibited her from entering several stores, and she faced recall to prison if she breached the terms.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
After the Waterstones theft, Jones was arrested and charged with breaching her criminal behaviour order and theft. Body-worn camera footage recorded her pleading with the arresting officer, saying, 'Why are you doing this to me?' When the officer explained he had seen her and she was wanted, she responded, '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.'
Jones admitted guilt at Nottingham Magistrates Court on Tuesday, July 14, and was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison. She was also ordered to pay £156.79 in compensation to Waterstones.
Police Response
Sergeant Jono Pothecary of Nottinghamshire Police's Priority Tasking Team said: 'Jones is a menace who has caused absolute misery to the shops she has targeted including Hotel Chocolat and Waterstones. 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.'
He added: 'She has shown no regard whatsoever for the impact her offending has caused those trying to do an honest day's work. 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. 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.'
