A PROLIFIC Coventry shoplifter is the latest to fall foul of a police crackdown.
Mark Devine, 49, was convicted at Coventry Magistrates Court of theft from a shop, handling stolen goods and possession of a blade and was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison.
He was also given a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) which bans him from entering any Christian place of worship in Coventry, following a theft he committed at a church last year.
Officers identified Devine as being responsible for a series of thefts from shops in the south of the city and published an appeal to find him.
Security at one of the stores recognised him and called police, who arrived and arrested him on May 26.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: “We know how disruptive persistent shop thefts can be for businesses and we are taking action against known offenders. Over the last few months, we have jailed dozens of offenders as well as issued CBOs against them.
“These orders, granted by the court, allow us to impose restrictions on where a person is allowed to go. By banning them from areas where they are known to offend, we can arrest and prosecute known prolific offenders more easily.
“This is part of our ongoing effort in Coventry against retail crime and anti-social behaviour.”
