Bike thief sentenced and told to pay victim £3,500

A man who stole a bike from outside a shop in Stafford has been sentenced and ordered to pay the victim compensation.

Steven Dawkins, 35, from Stafford, was sentenced to seven-months-and-five-days in prison (suspended for 12 months) after admitting theft when he appeared at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Wednesday (3 June).

He was also told to pay his victim £3,500 compensation and was given a three-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) by the court, which is valid until 3 June 2029.

Dawkins was arrested after stealing a £3,500 electric bicycle left outside a shop on Weston Road, Stafford, on 27 May.

Steven Dawkins

Sergeant Claire Goodridge, from Stafford local policing team, said: “Theft can have a significant impact on victims.

“It can deprive individuals of their primary means of transport, cause financial hardship and leave them feeling distressed and unsafe.

“This type of offence is prevalent across many communities and offenders often reoffend, which is why we pursue measures such as CBOs to address persistent offending and protect the public.

“We are continuing to take proactive steps to prevent cycle theft, including hosting bike marking events to help owners safeguard their property.”

Bike marking events are advertised via Facebook and Smart Alerts.

To sign up for Smart Alerts, visit: https://www.staffordshiresmartalert.co.uk/