A prolific shop thief was sent back to prison after breaching a criminal behaviour order three times within two weeks.
Samantha Clay was spotted in a Co-op store in Sneinton Dale, on 16 April 2024, in M&S Food Hall, at Victoria Retail Park in Netherfield, on 18 April 2024, and in B&M Bargains, at Victoria Retail Park, on 29 April 2024.
The 38-year-old, of no fixed address, is banned from entering these stores, among others, under the terms of a two-year criminal behaviour order which was imposed in November 2023 after police successfully applied to the magistrates’ court.
As well as admitting to the three breaches of her order, Clay also pleaded guilty to stealing candles and chocolate from the Tesco Express store in Carlton Hill, Carlton, on 6 April, jars of coffee from the Co-op store in Sneinton Dale on 16 April, make-up from the Tesco Express store in Carlton Hill on 17 April, cheese and a can of drink from the same store on 28 April, and cheese from the Co-op in Sneinton Dale on 29 April.
Clay was jailed for 12 weeks when she appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on 3 May 2024.
PCSO Allan Cooke, of the Gedling South neighbourhood policing team, has been a driving force around work to tackle and disrupt retail theft offenders as well as offering crime prevention advice and support to retailers in his area.
In support of his ongoing proactive problem-solving work, PCSO Cooke built up an overwhelming file of evidence against Clay which resulted in her criminal behaviour order being initially imposed and later varied.
He said: “Clay has persisted in her offending despite being given chances to mend her ways and repeated warnings about her criminal behaviour.
“We must protect all victims of crime from repeat offenders. One way we can do this is by applying to the courts for criminal behaviour orders which are intended to prevent re-offending and future impact on retail staff. Breaching them can result in a prison sentence, as Clay has discovered to her cost.
“Shop theft is not a victimless crime. Offenders’ behaviour 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.
“We also actively encourage retailers and staff to report incidents of abuse and violence so we can take action and put offenders before the courts.”
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