News

Shoplifter jailed after breaking order banning her from three stores

A ‘prolific’ Nottingham thief has jailed after breaching a criminal behaviour order.

Samantha Clay, 38, of no fixed abode, was jailed for 12 weeks at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on May 3.

The shoplifter was banned from entering the Co-op in Sneinton Dale and Netherfield’s M&S Simply Food and B&M Bargains under the terms of a two-year criminal behaviour order in November 2023.

But she was spotted in the Co-op on April 16, M&S Simply Food on April 18 and in B&M Bargains on April 29.

Clay admitted the breaches and pleaded guilty to stealing candles and chocolate from the Tesco Express store in Carlton Hill, Carlton, on April 6, 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 April 29.

Nottinghamshire Police community support officer Allan Cooke said: “Clay has persisted in her offending despite being given chances to mend her ways and repeated warning about her criminal behaviour.

“We have a duty to protect all victims of crime from repeat offenders.

“Shop theft is not a victimless crime – offenders’ behaviours 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.”