A serial shoplifter has been jailed for stealing again – and for breaching a court-ordered ban on going into his local Co-op without permission.
Sussex Police said: “A prolific shop thief has been sentenced over his latest offences in Crawley.
“Kenny Grubb was the subject of a criminal behaviour order, preventing his access to stores in the Ifield area and the wider town.
“But the 33-year-old was arrested again after breaching the order not to enter stores.
“This month, he entered the Co-op store in Ifield Drive and repeatedly stole items from inside.
“But he appeared in court and has been jailed for one year for his crimes.”
Chief Inspector Steve Turner, the district commander for Crawley and Mid Sussex, said: “We are determined to prevent shop thefts and work with businesses so we are pleased that a prolific offender is now behind bars.”
At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 18 June, Grubb, of Midhurst Close, Ifield, admitted four charges of stealing from the Co-op, four breaches of a criminal behaviour order and having cannabis.
The court was told that he went into the same Co-op branch in Ifield Drive four times from Friday 6 June to Tuesday 17 June.
Police said: “On Friday 6 June he entered the store at 6.45pm and was seen filling a duffle bag with beer and washing detergents before leaving without any making any attempt to pay.
“On Saturday 7 June at 5.45pm he entered and stole food and alcohol.
“On Saturday 14 June at 10pm he pushed his way into the store as shutters were being lowered, stealing beer and energy drinks before leaving.
“Then on Tuesday 17 June at 7am he was seen stealing meat and beer.
“Grubb was arrested and identified for the thefts and for being in breach of the criminal behaviour order (CBO).”
Chief Inspector Turner added: “Officers are working closely with businesses to tackle shoplifting offences in Crawley.
“We understand how retail crime has an ongoing impact on the public and for staff working in shops in the town.
“Grubb had already been identified, arrested and prosecuted for these crimes, leading to him being the subject of a CBO.
“The terms meant he was not to enter commercial retail premises in the town without permission from security guards and he was given specific exclusions for businesses including the Co-op, Tesco, Morrisons and Greggs.
“Grubb continued to breach this order and was swiftly arrested again so we are pleased that he has now serving a custodial sentence.
“We continue to encourage the public to report retail crime to us to help us take effective action to prosecute offenders.”
