A prolific shoplifter described as 'relentless' has been sentenced to 52 weeks in prison after repeatedly targeting stores in Nottingham despite being banned from them.
Pattern of Persistent Offending
Aaron Kelly, 36, of Eddleston Drive, Nottingham, was made subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order in November last year that prohibited him from entering numerous shops across south Nottingham and West Bridgford. However, the court order failed to deter the persistent thief, who continued his stealing spree throughout October and November this year.
Nottinghamshire Police arrested Kelly after he was captured on CCTV systematically taking items from shop shelves. He later pleaded guilty to 16 separate counts of shoplifting, with his targets frequently including sweets such as Haribo, chocolate, and various other retail items.
Multiple Charges and Court Outcome
Kelly's criminal conduct extended beyond theft alone. He admitted 11 breaches of his Criminal Behaviour Order alongside charges of threatening behaviour, possession of heroin, and two counts of possessing a class B drug.
On Monday, November 24, Nottingham Magistrates' Court handed down a 52-week prison sentence to Kelly, marking the culmination of what authorities described as a campaign of 'torment' against local shop staff.
Police Response and Support Measures
Following the sentencing, Inspector Steve Dalby, neighbourhood policing inspector for City South, stated: "Kelly is a persistent thief who has flagrantly breached a court order placed upon him. He has tormented shop staff through his relentless offending and we fully understand how dispiriting it must be for employees when they are targeted in this way."
Inspector Dalby emphasised that while support is offered to shoplifters to help break their cycle of offending, those who continue to "brazenly steal and cause issues for shop staff" will face continued police action. The neighbourhood teams work extensively to identify, arrest, and charge shoplifters, including pursuing Criminal Behaviour Orders where appropriate.
Local businesses have been informed of the sentencing, with police hoping the jail term provides them with some respite from Kelly's criminal activities.
