A Southampton man has been banned from stores in the city centre after being sentenced for shoplifting offences

Henok Beyene, 36, from Southampton Street, Southampton, appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court yesterday (26 January) to be sentenced for one count of burglary at Vodka Revolutions and three shoplifting offences at Boots in Above Bar Street.

The offences were listed as follows:

• On 22/10/2021 at Southampton, Hampshire, you, having entered as a trespasser a building, namely Revolution, stole therein alcohol to the value of £120.
• On 09/11/2021 at Southampton, Hampshire, you stole fragrances, to the value of £198, belonging to Boots.
• On 15/11/2021 at Southampton, Hampshire, you stole an electric beard trimmer, to the value of £79, belonging to Boots.
• On 18/11/2021 at Southampton, Hampshire, you stole razor blades and three gift sets, to the value of £389, belonging to Boots.

Beyene was sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 24 months. He was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and to pay compensation to Boots and Vodka Revolutions.

Hampshire Constabulary also successfully applied for a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) to be placed on him for two years, until 26 January 2024.

His conditions are not to enter Boots in Above Bar Street and Sainsbury’s in Bedford Place.

The purpose of a Criminal Behaviour Order is to tackle the most serious and persistent offenders and stop them from committing further criminal offences and anti-social behaviour. 

Breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

PCSO Jack Kemp said: “Thanks to the hard work of the Integrated Offender Management Team, the City Centre Team and Western Investigations, we were able to get Beyene to court in relation to these offences.

“We felt it necessary to apply for this order given the impact he has had on businesses in the city centre, so we hope this sends a clear message to them that we will do all in our power to reduce shoplifting.

“While Beyene’s sentence is suspended, this means that if he is to do anything like this again, he will go straight to prison for these offences – and could also be handed another longer sentence for breaching his CBO if this takes place in the shops covered by the order.

“It also grants us extra powers which will help us to protect the community against him if he chooses to continue offending.

“We hope this shows you how hard we are working to improve the city centre for all visitors and residents.

“Please continue to report shoplifting offences or antisocial behaviour to us by calling 101 or going online. Every report helps strengthen our case when applying for Criminal Behaviour Orders.”