Prolific shoplifting pair jailed for thefts in Newark after behaving suspiciously by community protection officers

A prolific shoplifting pair who have persistently targeted retailers in Newark have been jailed for theft after being spotted behaving suspiciously by Newark and Sherwood District Council community protection officers.

Michael Lowe and Terri Styring were tracked during routine patrols by the council officers who called in police and later gave evidence to support the successful prosecution of the pair.

The council’s community protection officer team was recruited at the start of this year to work alongside police to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

Police and council work together to ensure appropriate enforcement action is taken to bring problem individuals back before the courts and as such, Lowe and Styring subsequently appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court to face charges.

Lowe, who magistrates said persistently commits crimes in defiance of court orders.

The 30-year-old of no fixed abode, admitted a latest spree of seven offences that were all committed in Newark.

Lowe admitted the theft of alcohol, two thefts of laundry products, entering three stores that he was prohibited from doing under the terms of the CBO, and failing to provide a specimen while in custody that would have shown up Class A drug use.

Magistrates decided only a custodial sentence would do and jailed Lowe for a total of 14 weeks.

He must also pay £122 costs.

Styring will be under an electronically-monitored curfew for 12 weeks.

Styring, 27, of no fixed abode, admitted a string of thefts and breaches of a CBO that was imposed to try and curb her behaviour.

All of the offences were committed in Newark.

There were three offences of shoplifting and three breaches of the CBO.

Styring also admitted failing to provide a specimen while in custody to test for Class A drugs.

Magistrates said Styring persistently offended and breached court orders.

She was sentenced to a total of 14 weeks incarceration, which was suspended for 12 months, purely on the basis of the steps the defendant had taken to address her issues.

She must be at a named address between the hours of 9pm and 6am until November 11 as part of her sentence.

Styring must pay £122 costs.

District council leader David Lloyd said: “The council actively supports Nottinghamshire Police in utilising civil powers to protect and support local businesses against theft and anti-social behaviour.

“Our community protection officers are our eyes and ears in helping to take the necessary and appropriate steps to crack down on criminal and anti-social behaviour within the district.

"They provide a layer of extra protection and reassurance for the community and this case highlights that we will take the necessary action to bring them back to court where the persistent offending is dealt with accordingly.”

Inspector Heather Sutton, district commander for Newark and Sherwood, said: “We will continue to work with the district council to enforce Criminal Behaviour Orders and tackle crime within the area.

“We stated some time ago that tackling such behaviour would be a joint approach and offenders could expect to be arrested and put before the courts.

"I am pleased this has been reflected in a custodial sentence. This sends a message that criminal activity will not be tolerated and we will continue to work with our partners in reducing such behaviour.”

Under the conditions of their CBOs, Lowe and Styring are banned from entering any retail premises in Newark town centre apart from Inmaan Pharmacy, Eton Avenue, and Aldi, Northgate; as well as Northgate Retail Park, the Sainsbury’s store in Balderton and the Co-op Store on Bowbridge Road.

The pair are also banned from being in possession of hypodermic needles in a public place in Newark unless it is for medical use.

The community protection officers are part of a new council team brought in under the council’s Cleaner, Safer and Greener initiative in which creating and maintaining safer communities is a main focus.

The four-strong cohort of community protection officers have the power to issue enforcement notices against groups and individuals who are involved in environmental crimes such as littering a fly-tipping but they also work with the community to encourage a responsible approach to looking after the district.

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