A 37-year-old man from Tolleshunt Major has admitted to stealing from the Co-op on 26 occasions, with the court handing him a ban and suspended prison sentence.

Daniel Jones, of Beckingham Street, stole a wide variety of food, alcohol and detergents from the stores in Hawthorn Avenue, Greenstead, and Harwich Road, Chelmsford magistrates were told on 27 January.

He admitted stealing from the Co-op in Hawthorn Avenue on 22 occasions – sometimes twice a day – and from the shop in Harwich Road on four occasions, between 11 September 2023 and 24 November 2024.

He was stopped by officers from Colchester Local Policing Team after retail staff rang 999 during a shoplifting attempt and identified him. 

Officers then went to his then home address and arrested him nearby. 

Magistrates imposed a two-year criminal behaviour order, forbidding Jones to enter any Co-op store in Essex.

Sergeant Andrea Brady, of Colchester Town Centre Team, said after the hearing: "Shop theft isn't a victimless crime. Retail staff and customers can be affected by the behaviour of some shoplifters and I hope those at the Co-op stores Jones targeted feel safer, knowing that, if he defies the court ban again he faces a substantial jail term.

"We encourage anyone who experiences shoplifting or any associated abuse or anti-social behaviour to report it to us. 

Where we have the evidence we will always look to secure charges but we need people's help to provide us with that evidence, which includes witness statements and good-quality CCTV footage."

Magistrates also sentenced Jones to a total of six months in prison, suspended for two years. 

He was also ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge, attend a drug treatment course for six months, participate in an accredited programme for 40 days and undertake 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

There are 133 Co-op food stores in Essex which Daniel will now miss out on.