Northwich man banned from shops across the town

A prolific offender from Northwich has been banned from entering shops across the town for five years.

Matthew Hodson appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Tuesday 14th July where he was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended one year.

He was also handed a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) which prevents him from entering a number of shops across Northwich.

The 39-year-old, now of the Mulberry Centre in Chester, had previously pleaded guilty to a number of offences including theft, section 39 assault and multiple counts of breaching police bail.

Under the terms of the CBO, Hodson is excluded from entering the area highlighted in the exclusion map  (except when attending an appointment), and banned the from entering the following stores:

• Tesco, Manchester Road
• Home Bargains, Witton Street
• Farmfoods, Chesterway
• Boots, Witton Street
• Sainsburys, Venables Road,
• Asda, Barons Quay

In addition, he is also banned from concealing any items upon his person, or in backpacks, or carrier bags when in any retail store in Cheshire. He is also prohibited from sitting on the floor at the entrance or exit to any retail stores in Cheshire.

Failure to adhere to the order could result in Hodson being issued with a fine or even imprisonment.

Inspector Paul Heatley, of Northwich Local Policing unit, said:

“Hodson is well known to the team here at Northwich for a variety of offences, including shoplifting and assault, and despite multiple interventions to curb his behaviour he continues to offend.

“Therefore, we have been left with no option but to apply for this order, which provides us with a number of additional powers to tackle his behaviour.

“I hope this will provide reassurance to local businesses, demonstrating that we are committed to doing all we can to tackle shoplifting across Northwich.”

Anyone who encounters Hodson breaching the restrictions of his order is urged to contact Cheshire Police via: 

cheshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/soh/seen-or-heard/

... or call 101 to report it.