A prolific shoplifter has been jailed.

Ashley Whittaker has been sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment after admitting to stealing £59.94 worth of washing tablets from B&M on Exchange Street.

In doing so, the 41-year-old also breached a criminal behaviour order handed to him at Crewe Magistrates Court on October 17, 2023, following numerous shoplifting incidents around Macclesfield.

The two-year order banned Whittaker, of Churchside in Macclesfield, from entering the B&M store, as well as the neighbouring Tesco.

He was also not allowed to enter Co-op on West Park Drive and Morrisons on Hurdsfield Green.

Speaking at the time the order was issued, Sergeant Matthew Bassirat said: "Whittaker is a rapacious and prolific shoplifter who has been repeatedly taking from local retailers and businesses for a very long time."

B&M on Exchange Street (Credit: Google Maps)

On Sunday, February 9, local authority CCTV made Cheshire Police aware of an alleged shoplifting in progress at B&M on Exchange Street.

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Whittaker and another man, 43-year-old Benjamin Preece, were arrested nearby that same night.

The pair appeared at Chester Magistrates Court where Whittaker was handed a 12-week prison sentence for one charge of theft from a shop and one charge of breaching a criminal behaviour order.

Meanwhile Preece, of Horseshoe Drive in Macclesfield, was only charged with the theft and fined £80.

He will also have to pay court costs of £85 along with a £32 surcharge.

Ashley Whittaker (Credit: Cheshire Police)

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