Prolific thieving pair back behind bars for string of offences in Nottingham

These two prolific shoplifters are back behind bars for targeting stores in Nottingham. Repeat offenders Lee Keeton and Chantelle Monk admitted to carrying out a string of shop thefts in Beeston and Chilwell.

29-year-old Keeton, of Dunsmore Close, Beeston, was arrested on Thursday, November 14 after he was caught stealing bottles of wine from the Co-op in Queens Road, Beeston. Following inquiries, he was also arrested on suspicion of stealing bottles of wine from the same store, on November 12, as well as from the One Stop in Queens Road that same day.

The defendant also breached his criminal behaviour order by entering these stores, as well as entering The Star Inn pub in Beeston on November 9, which he was banned from and was jailed for 48 weeks when he appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on Friday, November 15.

Monk, also 29 and also of no fixed address, was also arrested on November 14 after she stole more than £100 worth of food and laundry items from the Co-op in Queens Road, Beeston. Arresting officers discovered she was also wanted on suspicion of other shop thefts in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

She went on to plead guilty to stealing food and laundry items from the Co-op in Bramcote Lane, Chilwell, on four occasions between October 16 and November 2; theft of laundry products from the B&M store in Chapel Street, Hucknall, on November 4, and stealing coffee, meat, and sandwiches from the Co-op in College Street, Long Eaton, on October 7 and 19.

As well as the thefts, the defendant also pleaded guilty to two breaches of her criminal behaviour order by entering the Long Eaton store and was jailed for 42 weeks.

Inspector Usha Madaraa said: “Preventing and reducing shop theft is one of our local crime priorities and my officers are continuing to work with and support local businesses in tackling this issue. Shop theft is often accompanied by assaults and threats of violence by offenders.

"Shop workers should not have to put up with this sort of unacceptable behaviour. Staff should feel safe when they are at work and customers should feel safe when they are shopping.

“I want to reassure people that we will continue to do everything we can to identify persistent and prolific offenders and seek to apply for criminal behaviour orders to break this cycle of offending in our communities. Neighbourhood policing team officers are regularly out on patrol targeting people who are preying on stores and retail parks, with the aim of combating and deterring shop theft, as well as visiting shops and giving crime prevention advice. This work will continue in hotspot areas the run-up to Christmas.

“Since the start of October, our work has resulted in 30 offences being charged and one adult caution being issued in connection with shop theft offences in the Broxtowe neighbourhood policing area. I hope the positive impact and results we're achieving reassures people of our commitment to making our streets safer and that we’re listening to their concerns and taking positive action to tackle them.”