Jailed: Prolific Ludlow shoplifter is locked up for third time in five months after latest thefts
A prolific Ludlow shoplifter has been returned to jail for six months for twice breaching a criminal behaviour order (CBO) and two counts of shoplifting.
Anthony Shingler of no fixed abode was handed the sentence at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday after pleading guilty to the offences.
The 38-year-old was given the CBO on September 28 last year with conditions not to enter a number of shops in Ludlow following previous shoplifting sprees in the town.
On January 26 and January 27 Shingler entered the Sainsbury's and One Stop shops in Ludlow where he stole over £200 of items, breaching the terms of his CBO.
He had previously been locked up for eight weeks in September for targetting the One Stop in Ludlow five times, and was handed the two-year CBO after pleading guilty to those offences. His hauls included Budweiser, laundry products, food and household items.
The following month he was jailed for six months after he stole three times from Sainsbury's and once from Spar in Ludlow within days of his release from his eight-week sentence, stealing chicken breasts and other meat.
The court was told that Shingler entered the One Stop store in Gavel Hill on January 26 and stole cakes and biscuits to the value of £100.
He then went into the Sainsbury's store in Dun Cow Road on January 27 and stole premium meats to the value of £100-£150.
He was charged with both offences and with twice breaching his CBO.
Magistrates handed him 26 weeks in prison for breaching the CBO saying he had a "flagrant disregard" for court orders, and also sentenced him to 12 weeks jail terms for each of the shoplifting offences, although the sentences will run concurrent.
The jobless shoplifter was also ordered to pay £150 compensation.
Following his latest conviction, Sergeant Jenni Price said: “Shingler has been blighting the shops in Ludlow for some time so I’m glad that justice was done yesterday.
“The impact shoplifting has on our communities shouldn’t be underestimated. It can affect retail prices, insurance premiums and damages local communities through fear of crime. The proceeds of these crimes also often end up being spent on illegal drugs, causing more suffering to individuals and the wider community.”