Two individuals have been incarcerated and handed Criminal Behaviour Orders for their persistent shoplifting, following collaborative efforts by Wakefield Council and West Yorkshire Police.
Shannon Liah Cowell, 26, residing on Harrow Street, South Elmsall, received a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order and a 16-week prison sentence at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on September 21, 2023.
This order prohibits Shannon Liah Cowell from entering Aldi on Barnsley Road, South Elmsall; Asda on Barnsley Road, South Elmsall; Tesco on Market Street, South Elmsall; Londis on Wakefield Road, Fitzwilliam, and she must vacate any retail premises within the Wakefield Metropolitan District area if instructed to do so by staff. The CBO will remain in effect until midnight on September 20, 2026.
Carl Hitchinson, 35, of Park Estate, South Kirkby, was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison and was granted a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on September 26, 2023.
This Criminal Behaviour Order bars Carl Hitchinson from entering Aldi on Barnsley Road, South Elmsall; Asda on Barnsley Road, South Elmsall; One Stop Shop on Stockingate, South Kirkby, and he must leave any retail premises within the Wakefield Metropolitan District area if requested by staff. The CBO will remain in effect until midnight on September 25, 2026.
Cllr Maureen Cummings, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Poverty and Health, said: “We are pleased the Court has granted these Criminal Behaviour Orders. We will take firm action against people who behave in a way that is unacceptable and anti-social.
“Our joint action with West Yorkshire Police demonstrates that we do not tolerate this behaviour, which has no place in our district.”
Inspector Glen Costello, who leads the Wakefield East Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Cowell and Hitchinson repeatedly targeted retail premises in the area with their criminal and anti-social behaviour.
“We work closely with partners to take action against those who behave in this way, and as this outcome shows, have a range of powers we can use to protect our communities from people who seek to cause harm or distress.
“Both these offenders are now subject to strict conditions they must abide by, and I would urge anyone who witnesses either of them breaching their orders to report this to our officers so further action can be taken.”
