Shoplifter defied court ban by stealing from Northampton Tesco, Co-op and One Stop stores 37 times

According to court documents, Joseph Mills was given a three-year criminal behaviour order by magistrates in September 2024 banning him from entering two Kingsthorpe branches of Tesco Express and the Co-op. He was also sentenced to four months in prison by magistrates for 11 offences — but then went on another thieving spree from the same shops plus two others following his release.

The 34-year-old, of no fixed abode, was back in the dock at Northampton Crown Court on November 27, 2025, and this time sentenced to 31 months behind bars by Recorder Geoffrey Kelly after admitting 37 counts of theft from shops between June 7 and October 14 plus 27 counts of breaching a criminal behaviour order by entering the Tesco and One Stop shops and one count of assaulting a man by beating.

Mills stole wine, confectionery, detergent and washing liquid also targeting local branches of One Stop and Heron Foods, often targeting the same store multiple times on the same day. His biggest haul was alcohol and confectionery worth £356.20 from One Stop on August 24 although many of the stolen items were described “of a value unknown”.

Northampton Police says it is working to tackle retail crime and anti-social behaviour that affects businesses and the wider public.

Chief Inspector James Willis, who leads on retail crime for the Force, said: “Retail crime is far from a victimless offence. Every theft leaves a mark on workers and undermines the sense of safety in our communities. We are dedicated to supporting our retail sector and want the public to know we take these crimes seriously.

“Our officers are committed to investigating all shoplifting offences and pursuing all reasonable lines of enquiry to secure arrests and charges and we continue to encourage businesses to report every incident and explore the benefits of joining the Northamptonshire Business Crime Partnership.”