A persistent shoplifter has been banned from Northallerton town centre following a successful court order application.
Ben Bennington, 25, of Bridge Road, Stokesley, appeared at York Magistrates’ Court charged with three shoplifting offences committed in the town. He received a two-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months.
Given the nature of his offending and his previous appalling record for similar offences, Hambleton Neighbourhood Policing Team applied for a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), which was granted by the court.
The order will run for two years and prohibits Bennington from entering Northallerton.
North Yorkshire Police will monitor compliance, and breaching the order is a serious criminal offence.
After the order was granted, Inspector Rory Sadler of Hambleton Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “This order will protect retail premises, and those who work in them, from Bennington’s prolific offending.
“Shoplifting is far from a victimless crime. Losses to businesses lead to higher prices for law-abiding shoppers, and the fear of crime makes the jobs of innocent staff members more difficult.
“We will continue to use all the tools at our disposal, including court orders, to clamp down on this offending and protect our communities.”
If you see Bennington in Northallerton town centre please call North Yorkshire Police on 101.
