14 weeks in prison for Hykeham shoplifter

A man who targeted shops to steal chocolate, wine, meat and fish while banned from their premises, has been sentenced to 14 weeks in prison following a conviction at court today (19 July).

Paul Bedford, 43, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty this morning to four shop thefts, one attempted shop theft, and one breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) at a hearing at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court.

The three-year CBO which he breached had been imposed on 14 January this year and included specific conditions not to enter any retail premises in North Hykeham and Bracebridge Heath. A CBO is a civil order designed to tackle the most serious and persistent anti-social individuals where their behaviour has brought them before a criminal court. The orders mean there are now enforceable rules on where they can and cannot go.

If the CBO is breached, this is a criminal offence and a custodial sentence can be enforced.

Investigations by officers from the Hykeham and Lincoln Neighbourhood Policing Teams found that he had committed thefts from stores including the Co-op in Severus Crescent, North Hykeham, Sainsbury’s in Tritton Road. Lincoln, and  Co-op  in Carholme Road between 24 June and 14 July. 

He was arrested yesterday and charged with the offences.

He was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison for the thefts and attempted theft, and six weeks for the breach of the CBO, which is to run concurrently. His CBO will remain in place when he is released.

We keep a continued watch of people who we have issued CBOs for, in partnership with the City of Lincoln Council and North Kesteven District Council, and we proactively release their image so that members of the community have the opportunity to stay clear of their offending, and are more able to report an incident if one occurs.