Spree of Shoplifting and Violence Leads to Custodial Sentence
A 36-year-old man from Telford has been sentenced to six months in prison after admitting to a series of thefts and assaults on shop workers. Jonathan Beatty-Thomas targeted several stores in the Telford area during November, with his crimes culminating in a physical attack on an employee.
The Incidents: A Timeline of Crime
The offences began on Saturday, November 8, when Beatty-Thomas entered a Tesco Express store and assaulted a staff member while stealing sandwiches and smoothies.
Just one day later, on Sunday, November 9, he was challenged by a worker at the Greggs bakery on New Street in Wellington, Telford. In response, he kicked the staff member before fleeing with food items valued at £35.
His criminal activity continued on Wednesday, November 12, when he stole two gift sets worth £106 from a Boots store located in the Telford Centre.
Court Outcome and Three-Year Ban
Appearing at Telford Magistrates' Court on Friday, November 4, Beatty-Thomas, of Willowfield in Telford, pleaded guilty to four counts of theft, two counts of assault, and a public order offence.
In addition to the six-month custodial sentence, the magistrates handed down a 36-month Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO). This order, which will run until November 2028, explicitly bans him from entering:
- Telford Shopping Centre (excluding the bus station)
- The Greggs on New Street, Wellington
- The Tesco Express on Haygate Road in Wellington
Sergeant Rich Jones, from Telford's town centre team, expressed his satisfaction with the court's decision. He stated that Beatty-Thomas's actions had a "terrifying impact" on local shops and businesses, causing alarm and distress not only to staff but also to members of the public.
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police explained that a CBO is a civil order designed to tackle the most serious and persistent anti-social individuals where their behaviour has been found to cause alarm, distress, or harassment.
Sergeant Jones added a clear warning, noting that if Beatty-Thomas breaches the terms of the CBO, he could face a further custodial sentence.
