Police issue picture of prolific Northampton shoplifter after five-year banning order
The picture of a prolific thief targeting shops in Northampton has been issued by police to warn others of his criminal behaviour.
Simon Boswell, aged 44, of Candace Court, Northampton, was made subject of a Criminal Behaviour Order for five years after he appeared in front of magistrates to be sentenced after pleading guilty to 16 offences of theft from shops, Northamptonshire Police said, in a statement.
A spokesperson said: “The order was granted by Northampton Magistrates’ Court on July 23, following a successful application by Northamptonshire Police’s Anti-Social Behaviour and Civil Order Team.
“Over a two-month period, between April 26 and June 26 this year, Boswell targeted the One Shop in Main Road, Duston, stealing more than £2,290 worth of items including alcohol, confectionary, meat, cheese, coffee, cigarettes, household products, and toiletries.
“In addition to the Criminal Behaviour Order, Boswell was also sentenced to a 12-month community order and tag monitoring with exclusions matching the order, three-month drug rehabilitation requirement, and 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement,” the spokesperson said.
Anti-social Behaviour Sergeant Grace Manwaring of Northamptonshire Police said: “Simon Boswell is a persistent shoplifter who has targeted the same stores repeatedly and when staff have challenged him, he has often responded with abusive and threatening behaviour.
"His actions have caused fear and upset for shop workers and customers alike. We hope the Criminal Behaviour Order will help protect retail staff, who have the right to work in a safe environment without fear of crime.
"By publishing details of the order and his photograph, we want retail staff and the public to understand the restrictions he must follow. If anyone sees Boswell breaking the conditions, we ask them to report it to us straight away by calling 101 so we can take appropriate action.”
The order bans Boswell from entering any One Stop, Co-op, Tesco or Marks & Spencer stores in Northamptonshire, as well as designated areas of Duston and Sixfields. He is also prohibited from entering any premises in Northamptonshire from which he has been banned, must leave any premises if asked to do so by staff or someone in authority, and must not behave in a way that he knows, or ought to know, is likely to cause annoyance, alarm or distress to others.