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Shameless couple are banned from all 2,586 Tesco stores and 634 B&Ms in England
Two prolific shoplifters from Newton-le-Willows have received two-year Criminal Behaviour Orders restricting which shops they can enter after admitting thefts from local retailers. The case highlights how police and courts are using restrictions on offenders’ access to shops to address repeat retail crime.
John Barry Rolt, 35, admitted 13 counts of shop theft and was given a 20-week suspended prison sentence; Victoria Chadwick, 42, admitted three counts and received a 14-week suspended sentence. Their thefts included 21 jars of coffee, alcohol and cleaning products. Police recorded 502,011 shoplifting offences in England and Wales in 2025-26, with more than half of investigations closed without a suspect identified.
In short
- Two shoplifters received two-year restrictions on entering shops.
- Rolt admitted 13 thefts; Chadwick admitted three.
- More than 500,000 shoplifting offences were recorded in 2025-26.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Restricting repeat shoplifters from entering specified retailers can help protect staff and customers, deter further theft and give businesses a practical way to enforce court orders. Supporters may see these orders as a proportionate alternative to immediate imprisonment, particularly when paired with suspended sentences and clear limits.
The case against
Broad restrictions can make ordinary activities such as shopping harder, especially if the orders cover many stores or areas, and may impose burdens beyond the punishment for the admitted offences. Critics may question whether such bans address the reasons behind repeat offending or improve rehabilitation, and argue that effective enforcement and support are needed to prevent further crime.