Jailed Shoplifter Ignored Court Ban And Stole From Sussex Stores

A prolific shoplifter who breached a court order not to enter Co-op and One Stop stores has been jailed.

Rosie Christopher, 25, ignored a court order imposed in January this year to prevent further offences.

She entered the stores in Chichester where she continued to steal items ranging from snacks and sandwiches, through to laundry products, chocolates and alcohol.

At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 19 May she admitted ten new shoplifting offences and ten breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order.

She was jailed for 44 weeks.

The court was told how Christopher, of Iden Drive, West Broyle, was previously before a court on January 19 this year.

She was forbidden from entering all Co-op and One Stop stores in Sussex.

But on 5 February she entered a shop at the Regis Service Station in Chichester Road, Bognor, and stole alcohol.

Then she committed nine more offences, primarily at the One Stop shop in St Paul’s Road, Chichester, through March and April.

She was identified as a prolific offender and was made a priority for arrest as part of Operation Apprentice, targeting thieves and securing convictions.

Sergeant Amelia Roberts from the Response Investigation Team said:

“Tackling shoplifting is a priority across the county, and in West Sussex we continue to identify the most prolific offenders.

“Rosie Christopher continued to commit offences in breach of a court order. She is now serving a custodial sentence.

“It demonstrates our ongoing commitment to make sure we catch offenders.

"We will continue to work with businesses and retailers affected to tackle shoplifting in our towns and cities.”