Prolific shoplifter who threatened to bite off employee’s finger jailed and banned from Ashford shops for 3 years

Library image: Folkestone Magistrates’ Court

A prolific shoplifter has been jailed and will also be banned from several businesses across Ashford for three years after meat, alcohol, laundry products, cat food and confectionary amongst other items were stolen from supermarkets in Brookfield Road and Singleton between Tuesday 20 and Tuesday 27 August 2024.

Realising stock had been stolen, staff at the businesses reviewed their CCTV and reported the thefts to Kent Police. Usually hiding the stolen goods in his coat or bags, Jesse Barton was identified by officers as the wanted offender.

During one visit to a store, Barton was stopped by staff as he tried to leave with 10 boxes of cat food. However, some of the boxes were left damaged and unable to be re-sold. In response to the challenge by staff, Barton made a threat to bite the finger off one of the employees.

Officers on patrol arrested Barton after they found him with £169 worth of confectionary and biscuits on Tuesday 27 August. The items had been stolen from a nearby supermarket and officers were able to return the items back to the store. An investigation by local officers identified Barton as responsible for eight thefts that week, the assault of a member of staff and an attempted theft.

The 36-year-old of no fixed address was charged and appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 29 August, when he was given a custodial sentence of six months and 28 days.

Officers also successfully applied for Barton to be subject to a three-year criminal behaviour order, which bans him from remaining in any retail premises when asked to leave by staff. He is also specifically prohibited from entering ten supermarkets across the district, as well as the Ashford Outlet.

Sergeant Daniel Bartlett said:

‘Kent Police takes all reports of retail crime seriously, and thefts like the offences carried out by Jesse Barton can cause businesses to put up their prices to compensate for losses and leave a community worse off.

‘Barton is a prolific and relentless shoplifter who caused misery to those working in the shops and supermarkets he targeted. I am pleased the courts recognised the severity of Barton’s threatening behaviour against shop staff, and agreed that a Criminal Behaviour Order was necessary.

‘When he has served his custodial sentence, he will have to adhere to the conditions of this order. If ignored, it could result in his return to prison.’