New Milton shoplifter David Cullen banned from all of Hampshire’s Morrisons and Morrisons Daily stores, as well as all its One Stop, Aldi, Superdrug, Co-op and Welcome Store branches
A PROLIFIC New Milton shoplifter was given detailed instructions on how not to steal from stores when being sentenced in court.
David Cullen (35), of Dinham Road, was banned from a string of shops after stealing over £400 of goods.
Appearing at Southampton Magistrates’ Court, Cullen was handed an interim criminal behaviour order which states he must place items he wants to buy in a store in a basket or trolley provided until they have been paid for. The basket or trolley must then be left behind.
He had previously pleaded guilty to five counts of shoplifting between Monday 10th and Thursday 20th March.
The court heard he targeted his local Superdrug, on Station Road, as well as the Co-op branches on Salisbury Road in Totton and on Brookley Road in Brockenhurst once each.
Items valued at a total of £229.90 were taken from the New Milton store, and another £171.50 of goods was taken from the Totton store.
Cullen was handed a community order, requiring that he undergo rehabilitation activity, fined £80 and told to pay a £114 surcharge to help fund victim support services.
The stores ban relates to all of Hampshire’s Morrisons and Morrisons Daily stores, as well as all its One Stop, Aldi, Superdrug, Co-op and Welcome Store branches
Cullen must also immediately leave any store, or business premises, when asked to do so by a member of staff.
Failing to comply with any of the CBO’s conditions could see him being arrested and further prosecuted.
The sentencing was welcomed by PC Paul Broomfield, from the Totton & New Forest Heart neighbourhood policing team.
He believed this offered stores further protection from anymore thefts and losses at Cullen’s hands.
“Cullen has continually targeted shops across the district, showing no willingness to comply with the law in the process,” PC Broomfield said.
“We regularly target and prosecute shoplifters. However, securing this interim CBO provides additional restrictions which help us prevent and disrupt any potential further offending perpetrated by him.
“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. Repeat offences in particular can create an environment of fear for many retail workers, and this is simply not okay.”
He added: “Local policing teams put in a lot of work to support businesses, disrupt habitual offenders like Cullen, and also work with support services for those whose offending cycle is driven by other factors such as drug and alcohol dependency.”
Shop owners and staff members are urged to continue reporting any shopliftings to officers online via hampshire.police.uk or by calling 101.
Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously via crimestoppers-uk.org or on 0800 555 111.
A force spokesperson said: “With your information, we can take action, including arresting and charging suspects and convicting offenders at court, as the above again demonstrates.”
