Fleetwood man jailed after admitting alcohol and coffee shoplifting spree and criminal behaviour order breach
The man in question pleaded guilty.
A Fleetwood man has been jailed after admitting a series of shoplifting offences and breaching a court order banning him from entering retail stores in the town.
Darren McCaul, 34, appeared before Lancaster Magistrates' Court on Friday, where he pleaded guilty to four counts of shoplifting and two counts of breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).
The court heard that McCaul was arrested on July 15 before being charged in connection with thefts from four stores in Fleetwood, Thornton, and Cleveleys. During the offences, alcohol, cleaning products and coffee products were stolen from the shops.
McCaul was already subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order which prohibited him from entering retail premises in Fleetwood until May 2029. His attendance at stores during the shoplifting offences meant he breached the conditions of that order on two occasions.
Magistrates sentenced McCaul to 16 weeks' imprisonment for breaching the Criminal Behaviour Order. He was also given a further 12-week prison sentence for the shoplifting offences. The sentences will run consecutively, meaning he will serve a total of 28 weeks in custody.
Following the case, police said they would continue to target retail crime through Operation Vulture, a partnership initiative that works alongside retailers and other agencies to identify prolific offenders and bring them before the courts.
Officers said the operation remains focused on tackling shoplifting and supporting businesses affected by retail crime across the area.