Chocolate-obsessed shoplifter in Wolverhampton put behind bars and banned from city area

A map showing the East Park area of Wolverhampton between Wolverhampton Road and Willenhall Road where Stephen Maher (a custody image inset) is barred from after a shoplifting spree
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A prolific shoplifter who pilfered hundreds of pounds worth of chocolate from just one shop in Wolverhampton has been put behind bars. Stephen Maher went on a five-day thieving spree which saw him take a whopping £650-worth of chocolate from a shop in Willenhall Road to the west of the city in a four-day period.

The 36-year-old repeatedly raided the shop between Friday, September 27 and Monday, September 30. He then went on to target more savoury items, stealing some £250-worth of meat and cheese from a supermarket in Heath Town on Tuesday, October 1.

Maher was arrested in Heath Town last Saturday morning (October 5). He then appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court on Monday (October 7) where he admitted five shoplifting offences for eight weeks.

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Maher, from Hordern Road, Whitmore Reans. On the other side of the city was jailed for eight weeks. And was also been handed a Community Behaviour Order for five years, banning him from entering the East Park area of the city, where the two stories he stole from are located.

West Midlands Police custody image of Stephen Maher of Hordern Road, Whitmore Reans
Stephen Maher of Hordern Road, Whitmore Reans, in Wolverhampton has been jailed for eight weeks and barred from an area of the city after a five-day shoplifting spree

In addition, Maher is barred from ‘causing alarm or harassment to anyone in Wolverhampton borough’. A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “Our officers are working hard to liaise with local retailers and store security to identify persistent offenders and any emerging trends or hotspots. If you see any suspicious activity while you are out and about please tell us. You can do this by calling 101 or via Live Chat on our website.”