A prolific thief who was back stealing less than a week after being released from prison has been jailed again – after being caught on CCTV.
Joshua Preece, 20, targeted The Perfume Shop in Queensgate shopping centre, Peterborough, on Wednesday (11 March), just five days after walking free from a previous sentence.
Footage shows Preece entering the store and carrying out the चोरी, in what police say is yet another breach of a court order designed to keep him out of trouble.
At the time of the offence, Preece was already subject to a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), banning him from entering both Queensgate Shopping Centre and the Bretton Centre, including the bus station.
His latest theft was not an isolated incident.
The court heard that in the days leading up to the Queensgate offence, Preece had also carried out three thefts at a BP filling station in Bretton between 8 March and 10 March – alongside further breaches of his CBO.
Preece, of Towler Street, Eastgate, Peterborough, admitted all offences when he appeared before Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (12 March).
He was jailed for eight months and ordered to pay more than £500 in compensation.
Investigating officer PC Sam Malton said the case highlights how police are using legal powers to clamp down on repeat offenders.
“CBOs give us greater powers to tackle prolific offenders. Once Preece is released we will not hesitate to arrest him for any further breaches.”
Police have released both CCTV from the shop and bodyworn footage of Preece’s arrest, underlining the speed at which officers were able to act.
