'Dangerous' shoplifter banned from 14 shops

Karl Jones, 33, has been jailed for six years and three months

A serial shoplifter described as “dangerous” by the police has been jailed for six years and three months and banned from 14 businesses.

Karl Jones, 33, was arrested in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, on 8 November, after he was identified as a suspect in a knife-point robbery in the area, as well as being linked to multiple shoplifting offences across Peterborough between September and October.

Four days previously, he entered Budgens in The Heights and threatened a member of staff while holding a knife to their throat and demanding money from a till.

Jones, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Luton Crown Court for offences including robbery, possession of a knife in a public place, 11 counts of theft from a shop and two counts of assault.

He was also made subject of a seven-year Criminal Behaviour Order which stated he must not go into Next, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Co-op, Waitrose, TK Maxx, Superdrug, B&Q, Aldi, Boots chemist, Currys, PC World, Marks and Spencer, B&M Bargains and Asda.

PC Sian Makin said: “Jones is a dangerous and prolific criminal who has an extensive history of offending including theft, drug offences, fraud and possession of weapons.

“Despite previous sentences of community orders, conditional discharges, suspended sentences and serving time in prison, he has continued to offend."