A prolific shoplifter has been returned to jail for three months after twice breaching a criminal behaviour order (CBO) three times within a fortnight.
Samantha Clay was spotted in M&S Simply Food, at Victoria Retail Park in Netherfield, on April 18, 2024, and in B&M Bargains, at Victoria Retail Park, on April 29, 2024.
She had also been spotted in a Co-op store in Sneinton Dale, on April 16, 2024.
The 38-year-old, of no fixed address, is banned from entering these stores, among others, under the terms of a two-year criminal behaviour order which was imposed in November 2023 after police successfully applied to the magistrates’ court.
As well as admitting to the three breaches of her order, Clay also pleaded guilty to stealing candles and chocolate from the Tesco Express store in Carlton Hill on April 6.
She also took jars of coffee from the Co-op store in Sneinton Dale on April 16, make-up from the Tesco Express store in Carlton Hill on April 17, cheese and a can of drink from the same store on April 28, and cheese from the Co-op in Sneinton Dale on 29 April.
Clay was jailed for 12 weeks when she appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on May 3, 2024.
PCSO Allan Cooke, of the Gedling South neighbourhood policing team, built up an overwhelming file of evidence against Clay which resulted in her criminal behaviour order being initially imposed and later varied.
He said: “Clay has persisted in her offending despite being given chances to mend her ways and repeated warnings about her criminal behaviour.
“We have a duty to protect all victims of crime from repeat offenders. One way we can do this is by applying to the courts for criminal behaviour orders which are intended to prevent re-offending and future impact on retail staff. Breaching them can result in a prison sentence, as Clay has discovered to her cost.
“Shop theft is not a victimless crime. Offenders’ behaviour can affect staff and customers in the stores they target, and I and other neighbourhood officers continue to work with retailers and staff to reduce this sort of offending and protect the local community.
“We also actively encourage retailers and staff to report incidents of abuse and violence so we can take action and put offenders before the courts.”
