A prolific shoplifter who targeted stores across Cheshire has been jailed for 66 weeks and banned from entering a number of retail premises across the county under a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).
Daryl Cobain, of Lime Avenue, appeared at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, November 3, where he pleaded guilty to 15 counts of shoplifting at stores across Chester, Knutsford and Northwich.
The 50-year-old also admitted public order offences relating to threats made towards shop staff and breaches of police orders.
He was sentenced to 66 weeks in prison, comprising 42 weeks for the latest offences and a further 24 weeks following the activation of a suspended sentence.
He was also ordered to pay £950 in compensation to the victims of his crimes.
In addition, the court imposed a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order restricting his movements and behaviour across Cheshire, including Warrington.
The conditions of the order include a ban on entering Boots, Tesco, Tesco Express, Booths, B&M, Waitrose and Hotel Chocolat stores, as well as other retail premises across Cheshire.
When entering other retail premises, Cobain is prohibited from placing items into carrier bags, rucksacks or other items capable of concealing goods before payment has been made.
He is also banned from concealing merchandise on his person, entering unattended vehicles without the owner’s permission, and remaining on premises after being asked to leave by staff, security personnel or police.
The order further prohibits behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to others and entering premises from which he has already been excluded.
The CBO was secured following partnership work between Northwich’s Anti-Social Behaviour Unit and the Beat Management Team.
During the case, officers presented the court with additional evidence of Cobain’s anti-social behaviour over the previous 12 months.
This included numerous offences involving interference with motor vehicles, thefts from vehicles and fraud involving bank cards stolen during those offences.
He had also previously threatened and verbally abused the council’s Community Safety Wardens.
Following the hearing, Inspector Paul Heatley, of Northwich Local Policing Unit, said: “I hope the sentence handed to Cobain, along with the Criminal Behaviour Order, sends a clear message to offenders who continue to commit crime in Northwich.
“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime, and we are committed to doing all we can to protect our local businesses.
“The team here in Northwich are committed to doing all we can to target and bring to justice people who commit crime in our community, ensuring the town remains a hostile environment for criminals, as well as a safe place to live, work and visit.”
