'Rapacious' shoplifter jailed after stealing washing tablets from B&M
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."
On Sunday, February 9, local authority CCTV made Cheshire Police aware of an alleged shoplifting in progress at B&M on Exchange Street.
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.
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