Two prolific shoplifters banned from shops in Brighton are behind bars after being spotted where they shouldn’t be by police on patrol.
Michael Murray was found by police in the Co-op store in Whitehawk Road on Monday 16 October, in breach of a criminal behaviour order which banned him from all the Co-ops in Brighton and Hove.
He was arrested and charged 18 counts of theft from the store from mid-August onwards and 18 counts of breaching the order by going into the store.
Despite the order Murray, 35, of Lower Rock Gardens, had stolen items stolen worth hundreds of pounds.
He appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Monday 23 October, where he was remanded in custody for sentencing on Monday 20 November.
Daryl Swann was spotted by police on patrol in Western Road, Brighton, on Tuesday 17 October.
The 35-year-old, of Oriental Place, Brighton, was sought in connection with the theft of goods worth £95 from Holland and Barrett in North Street on Friday 8 September and the theft of goods worth £150 from the White Company in East Street on Thursday 14 September.
He was arrested and charged with two counts of theft and breaching a criminal behaviour order which prohibited him from going into a number of stores including the White Company.
He was remanded in custody and appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court the next day when he was jailed for four weeks.
These rotters will be out and shoplifting again in time for Christmas, there’s no real deterrent in place to make them stop.
Brighton is full of these rotters, all on the gear. Theft is their day job. Should be forced to do hard labour. Why isn’t that a thing any more.
Perhaps Jo Wadsworth should read this story’s headline again. Were these career shoplifters really on patrol?