'Most wanted' shoplifter is jailed following summer spree of thefts

A SHOPLIFTER from Coventry has been jailed after being found guilty of a summer spree of thefts in the city.

Mark Turner targeted shops in the north of the city, becoming one of Coventry Local Policing Area’s most wanted offenders.

On July 13, officers from the Radford, Holbrook, Sherbourne and Bablake Neighbourhood team arrested Turner in connection with thefts from shops in Wheelwright Lane.

The team examined more than 100 evidence exhibits to build a case against Turner, who was later charged with 16 shop thefts.

Now the 47-year-old has been found guilty and sent back to prison for nine months, as well as being banned from the premises he targeted.

The team successfully applied for a Criminal Behaviour Order which bans Turner from entering the areas he targeted for five years. If he is found there again, he can be instantly arrested and brought back before the courts.

A West midlands Police spokesperson said: “Turner is the latest in a series of successful prosecutions of prolific thieves in the city.

“Along with jail sentences, our teams regularly apply to the courts for CBOs, as they give us greater ability to stop known offenders from entering specific areas and causing problems.”