Prolific shoplifter jailed

A prolific shoplifter has been jailed after he stole around £400-worth of goods from stores in North Staffordshire.

Kieron Sharkie, 28, from Stoke-on-Trent, was handed a 24-week sentence by magistrates at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Tuesday (25 March) after he pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and a further count of attempted theft.

He had previously been identified as a suspect in other instances of shoplifting in the area.

Sharkie was also handed a Criminal Behaviour Order which is in place for two years and prevents him from entering 13 shops in the local area that he has targeted. Breaching any element of the CBO is a criminal offence and can result in a prison term.

Sergeant Chris Gifford, of Stoke North Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The message to individuals who persistently cause problems in our communities is simple – we will take action and look into issuing a Criminal Behaviour Order where appropriate.

“Our officers are regularly visiting businesses in Stoke-on-Trent to not only show our presence in the area, but to find out what issues they are experiencing and what we can do to support them.

“If anyone does have any concerns we urge them to get in touch and we would also ask the public to make us aware if anyone in receipt of an order breaches it.”