Fraudster Busted Selling Fake Big Issue Magazines in Nottingham
A no-fixed-address man has been jailed and slapped with a criminal behaviour order for scamming the public by selling fake Big Issue magazines in Nottingham city centre.
53-Year-Old Jailed and Barred from City Centre
Chris Brealey, 53, was caught by Nottingham’s Operation Compass team and convicted on four counts of fraud by false representation on 13 May 2021. He was sentenced to 12 weeks behind bars.
The court also handed down a three-year criminal behaviour order banning Brealey from selling magazines anywhere in Nottingham city centre—marking the first time Nottinghamshire Police has secured such an order solely for city centre crime.
Police Warn Public to Stay Alert
Sergeant Paul Whitehead, head of the Operation Compass team, said:
“Brealey’s actions were disgraceful and hurt legitimate Big Issue vendors. He repeatedly scammed members of the public in the city centre. We used plain-clothed patrols and proactive policing to catch him. The three-year criminal behaviour order is designed to stop this rogue vending for good.”
He urged anyone spotting Brealey selling magazines in Nottingham city centre after his release to report it immediately by calling 101.
