A 34-year-old Crawley man caught on CCTV raiding local shops has been handed a suspended jail sentence and slapped with a tough Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).
Max Huggett, of Steyning Close, Northgate, was nabbed after a string of thefts across Crawley and West Sussex between April and September. He hit multiple stores including Tesco, Co-op, and an Applegreen petrol station, making off with nearly £900 worth of goods.
With a staggering 15 previous theft convictions, Huggett appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 17 October and received a 16-week suspended sentence. That means he’ll only do time if he breaks the rules.
Huggett Given Rehab and Retail Bans
The court ordered Huggett to undergo six months of drug rehab and complete 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement sessions.
His CBO bans him from:
- All Tesco stores in Crawley and Horley
- All Co-op shops in Crawley
- The Next store in Crawley
- Any Sussex retail premise if asked to leave by staff
Police Warn Public to Stay Vigilant
Chief Inspector Steven Turner, Crawley District Commander, said: “Huggett has been a prolific thief, targeting food and laundry products. CCTV showed him entering shops carrying bags or rucksacks, filling them up, then walking out without paying.”
Turner stressed the serious impact shoplifting has on local businesses and staff, and highlighted Sussex Police’s commitment to working with retailers to catch offenders using technology and thorough investigations.
He urged anyone witnessing breaches of the ban to report them via 101 to support ongoing efforts to keep shops safe.
Key Takeaways from Crawley Theft Case
- CCTV technology is crucial in spotting repeat offenders
- Criminal Behaviour Orders provide targeted restrictions to curb crime
- Reporting shoplifting helps police tackle retail crime effectively
- Even “minor” crimes like theft seriously affect communities and businesses
Huggett must stick to his rehab plan and obey the CBO or risk activating his suspended prison sentence. Sussex retailers and police will be watching closely to keep him out of trouble—and out of their stores.
