A meat thief was banned from Liverpool city centre for two years.
Joseph Edward Cole will not be able to visit the city centre for two years after being given a criminal behaviour order for theft. The 56-year-old, of Walton Lane, Anfield, received the ban at Liverpool magistrates court on Wednesday, March 29.
He pleaded guilty to theft from a shop after being caught stealing steak worth more than £180 from the Aldi store in St John’s Precinct on January 26. The order prohibits him from entering a large area around the city centre.
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The area includes Dale Street (Queensway) up to and including Water Street, The Strand, Strand Street, Liver Street; Paradise Street, Duke Street, Upper Duke Street, Berry Street, Leece Street, Renshaw Street, Brownlow Hill, Copperas Hill, Russell Street, Seymour Street, London Road, Lime Street, St George's Place, St John's Lane and Old Haymarket.
Community policing sergeant Charles Cottier said: "Theft from businesses is not a victimless crime as it has a huge impact on the community in many ways such as the cost being passed on to the consumer. This Order demonstrates that we will not accept this kind of behaviour as the norm, and this ban prohibits him from entering Liverpool city centre which prevents him causing further misery to businesses.
"Criminal Behaviour Orders are an effective mechanism in tackling theft, and should Cole breach this order then he will be arrested and could be imprisoned. Anyone with information on vehicle crime can to speak to local officers or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress."
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