Prolific shoplifter jailed following series of thefts in Ellesmere Port

A prolific shoplifter has been jailed following a recent crime spree where he stole more than £2,000 worth of items from shops in Ellesmere Port.

Christopher Beaton appeared at Chester Magistrates’ Court on Monday 7 October where he was sentenced to 32 weeks.

The 37-year-old, of no fixed abode in Ellesmere Port, had pleaded guilty to multiple counts of shoplifting, plus assault by beating.

On 11 July, Beaton entered the Go Local store in Woodland Road, Ellesmere Port, and stole various groceries to an unknown value. While in the store, he assaulted a member of staff who challenged him.

On the same date, Beaton stole further groceries worth £21.50 from the BP garage in Overpool Road. He returned to this location on 15 July, stealing almost £52 worth of items, and again on 19 July, when he took just under £38 worth of items.

The next day, on 20 July, Beaton stole food items worth almost £33 from Heron Foods in Overpool Road.

Beaton then targeted the Co-op store in Overpool Road on multiple occasions. This included eight times throughout September, plus once on 1 October. He stole a total of more than £960 worth of items, including food items, razors, and laundry detergent.

On 12 September, he also stole food items from the Co-op store in Hope Farm Road, totalling £160.

On five different occasions throughout September, Beaton stole a total of around £348 worth of food items and alcohol from the BP garage in Overpool Road.

Meanwhile, on 1 October, he attended Asda in Wellington Road and stole alcohol, of an unknown value. The next day he stole £300 worth of food items from the Iceland store in Mercer Walk.

On two separate occasions, 18 September and 4 October, Beaton entered Jollyes Pets in Mercer Walk, stealing a total of £200 worth of dog treats.

Beaton was identified as a suspect and subsequently arrested.

Prior to his custodial sentence, Beaton had been issued with exclusion orders, for both Ellesmere Port and Northwich, by the Business Crime Reduction Partnership. The exclusion prevents Beaton from entering members’ stores. These stores are identified by a window sticker, which identifies them as part of the scheme.

Sergeant Owen Walton said:

“Beaton is a prolific shoplifter, and I welcome the immediate custodial sentence which has been handed down to him.

“Within just a few months, Beaton stole more than £2,000 worth of items from eight different stores, targeting some of the stores on numerous occasions.

“This must have been a huge drain on the stores’ resources and staff, causing them undue stress. One staff member was even assaulted by Beaton. No-one goes to work to be subjected to this and I would like to send out a strong message that abusing those who are just doing their job will not be tolerated.

“I hope this result will reassure the businesses which were affected by his crimes and send a warning to those who are intent on committing these types of offences that they will be held accountable.”

Pictured - Christopher Beaton.