Shoplifter breached town centre ban 26 times
AN OAP shoplifter banned from every Accrington town centre shop has breached the order 26 times, it has been revealed.
John Crabtree, 66, of Clement Street, Accrington, was handed the order by magistrates in May 2018 after dozens of theft offences in the town.
However, he was spared jail after being called before magistrates for repeatedly flouting it. His latest breaches happened three times within four days earlier this month.
Prosecutor Catherine Allen said Crabtree is one of a number of regular shoplifters who target the town centre and whose activities have a huge impact on local businesses.
The court heard that Crabtree has depression and he forgets about the order.
“It is true my client is running out of any excuses”
APROLIFIC old age pensioner shoplifter breached a court order been banning him from any Accrington town centre shop 26 times in just over a year.
John Crabtree, 66 of Clement Street, Accrington, was handed a twoyear criminal behaviour order by magistrates in May 2018 after dozens theft offences in the town.
The criminal behaviour order means Crabtree cannot enter any shops within a designated area of Accrington town centre.
However he has breached the order 26 times since and has served several short jail sentences in that period.
His latest breaches happened three times within four days earlier
this month. Prosecutor Catherine Allen told Blackburn Magistrates’ Court that Crabtree was seen by a security guard leaving the Asda store on both July 19 and 20.
The third breach related to entering the British Heart Foundation shop in the town centre on July 22.
Blackburn Magistrates Court heard Crabtree had 108 previous theft convictions.
Miss Allen said: “The defendant is one of a number of regular shoplifters who have been given such orders who target the town centre and whose activities have a huge impact on local businesses.
“The order still has ten months to run and these are deliberate breaches.”
Crabtree pleaded guilty to the three offences.
Defending, Richard Prew, said: “It’s true that my client is running out of any excuses.
“He survives on a state pension but he just ought to know better. Sometimes the breaches are when he’s shoplifting and others are not.
“He tells me he forgets about the order and has recently been diagnosed with a respiratory problem and has depression.”
Mr Prew added that his client existed in a ‘revolving door’ state of short jail sentences and reoffending once released before he can engage with probation services.
He had last been released from an eight week prison sentence on July 5
Sentencing Crabtree, the chair of the bench, said: “We’re at a bit of a loss as to how to deal with you.
“You need to stop this cycle. It’s down to you.”
He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison for the breaches, suspended for 12 months and ordered to work closely with probation services for 20 rehabilitation days.