Three men sentenced after stealing thousands of pounds worth of designer clothing

A total of three men have now been sentenced for stealing thousands of pounds worth of designer items from stores in Handforth and Wilmslow.

Two of the men are now also subject to Criminal Behaviour Orders banning them from numerous stores in the area.

Benjamin Gittings, 33, of no fixed abode, appeared at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Friday 13th March 2026 where he was sentenced to 22 months in prison.

He had admitted stealing clothing worth £2,320 from JD Sports Handforth on 14 December 2025, £1,580 worth of clothing from Ralph Lauren in the Hoopers store in Wilmslow on 15th December 2025, and £2,500 of beauty items from Boots in Handforth on 19th December 2025.

This sentence also encompasses offences dealt with separately by Greater Manchester Police, including possession of cocaine, theft from a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, and driving while disqualified.

Karl Braisdell, 40, of no fixed abode, was previously sentenced to 30 weeks in prison on 6 January 2026 for the same theft offences at JD Sports, Hoopers, and Boots.

His sentence also includes separate offences committed in the GMP force area, including a theft from an Aldi store and Mai’s Pharmacy.

Meanwhile, Michael Higginbotham, 46, of Brook Street, Hazel Grove, Stockport, was handed a 26-week sentence suspended for 12 months on 6th January 2026 for the JD Sports and Hoopers offences.

His sentence also included a theft from a Tesco Express store in the GMP area.

Gittings and Higginbotham are now banned from entering any retail premises in the Wilmslow area as defined by the attached map under the terms of a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).

They must not enter any JD Sports, Marks and Spencer, Hoopers, Tesco or Waitrose store within Cheshire East, including petrol stations which have these stores. They cannot wear any form of headgear (hats, caps, hoods etc) or face coverings when entering or while in any retail premises.

In addition to this, Higginbotham cannot enter any retail premises without the means to pay for goods, or enter or remain in any store that he has been banned from, or requested to leave.

A spokesperson said:

“It’s a fantastic result that two of these individuals have been issued with CBOs which should further safeguard businesses in the area from their disruptive behaviour.

“Anyone who witnesses Gittings or Higginbotham breaching the terms of their CBOs should contact us via 101 or through our website to report it.

“We take retail crime incredibly seriously and know the impact it can have on retailers and business partners.

“That’s why we are undertaking Operation Watchmaker this week to target shoplifting and other retail-related crime.

“If you have any concerns please speak to an officer or call 101.”

Pictured - CBO Exclusion Map.