A 40-year-old shoplifter, banned from entering every Co-op store in Kent, has been jailed after repeatedly targeting a branch in Dartford.
Jamie Hopkins, who was subject to a three-year court order issued in February 2023, had been prohibited from entering multiple retail outlets in Dartford without permission from store staff. The order also banned him from entering any Co-op in Kent unless specifically approved by the store manager.
Despite these strict conditions, Hopkins defied the court order and stole food and confectionery items from the Co-op in Oldfield Place, Dartford, on three separate occasions between January 1 and January 11, 2025.
On January 13, officers arrested Hopkins, and he was charged with theft and breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO). Hopkins pleaded guilty to both charges when he appeared at Margate Magistrates’ Court on January 21. He was immediately sentenced to nine months in prison for his repeated offences.
Inspector Lee Cheesman from Kent Police said: “The CBO to which Hopkins is subject is in place to protect local businesses and the community. Now that Hopkins is behind bars, I hope it serves to remind would-be thieves that we take shoplifting very seriously and will always strive to bring them before the courts to face justice.”
The case highlights the continued efforts by local authorities to clamp down on shoplifting and protect businesses from repeat offenders.
