A man from Castleford has been sentenced to eight weeks in jail and given a Criminal Behaviour Order as a result of action taken by Wakefield Council and West Yorkshire police.
Mitchell John England, 28 years old, with no fixed address, was issued a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on 19th October 2023. This followed a pattern of persistent shoplifting and criminal activity in shops within the Castleford area, as well as an assault on a Police Community Support Officer.
The Criminal Behaviour Order prohibits him from entering any retail premises from which he has been banned or excluded within the Wakefield District. These include the Sainsbury’s store at 30 Smallthorne Lane in Castleford, the ASDA at Leeds Road, Castleford, and the Co-op Local at The Square, Airedale. Under the conditions, Mitchell John England must also leave other shops in the Wakefield district area if asked to do so by staff.
Cllr Maureen Cummings, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Poverty and Health, said: “We work jointly with West Yorkshire Police and will take firm action against those who behave in an unacceptable manner.
“We are pleased the Court has granted this Criminal Behaviour Order. It sends out a clear message that we do not tolerate criminal behaviour in our district.”
Inspector Glen Costello, who leads the Wakefield East Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “England is a prolific thief who has repeatedly stolen from shops in the Castleford area over the past year.
“Police and partners have made efforts to engage with him to change his offending behaviour, but he has shown no willingness to do so.
“He is now serving a prison sentence and will be subject to strict conditions upon his release, which could see him returned to custody if he continues to offend.
“Anyone who is seen to be breaching the terms of a Criminal Behaviour Order can be reported to police by calling 101, or using the online live chat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website.”
