A notorious shoplifter has been locked up for blatantly ignoring a strict court order banning him from all shops in Kent.
Repeat Offender Flouts Tough Shop Ban
Lewis O’Brien, from New Road, Chatham, had been slapped with a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) banning him from every Tesco and B&M in the county – and forbidding him from entering any shop with a bag. But he ignored the rules completely.
This month alone, O’Brien stormed into B&M on Gillingham High Street twice. During one daring theft, he swiped smart watches, speakers, and a gaming console worth £186.
Hit-and-Run Thefts Across Kent
O’Brien didn’t stop there. On 18 September, he struck Tesco twice on Bridge Road, Sheerness, nicking alcohol both times. The very next day, he swiped nearly £78 worth of meat from Lidl in Sittingbourne. That was when police finally caught him red-handed.
Fourteen Weeks Behind Bars for Brazen Thief
At Medway Magistrates’ Court on 22 September, O’Brien pleaded guilty to five breaches of the CBO and four counts of theft. He was sentenced to 14 weeks in jail. His shameless defiance of the court sealed his fate.
Sergeant Paul Relf said: “O’Brien has been on our radar for similar crimes before. His jail time shows how effective CBOs can be. Let that be a warning: break these orders, and you’ll be behind bars fast.”
