A man has received a significant ban from entering numerous retail stores across the United Kingdom following a series of thefts. Christopher Moran, aged 57, has been prohibited from accessing any Tesco, Co-op, Sainsbury’s, B&M, TK Maxx, Iceland, Booths, or Trespass locations nationwide. This decision comes after Moran pleaded guilty to ten counts of theft at Preston Magistrates Court on November 27, 2023.
The court sentenced Moran to 12 weeks in custody, which will run concurrently with a 52-week sentence he is already serving for other offenses. In addition to his custodial sentence, he has been issued a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO). This order aims to prevent him from engaging in further criminal activity in specified areas.
Details of the Criminal Behaviour Order
Moran’s criminal spree primarily affected the South Ribble and Preston regions. As part of his CBO, he is not only banned from various retail establishments but also prohibited from entering Preston Marina, Navigation Way, and the entire Penwortham exclusion zone. Furthermore, he is obligated to leave any retail location immediately if requested by an employee and must return any stolen items before exiting the premises.
According to a spokesperson for Lancashire Police, “CBOs are used to target individuals who are repeat demand generators and have been identified as often engaging in criminality in a specified area.” The police emphasized that these orders are intended to deter individuals from continuing with their unlawful behavior.
On November 28, 2023, South Ribble Police shared a post on Facebook detailing Moran’s actions. They described him as a “prolific shoplifter” who has caused significant disruption to local businesses through his sustained thefts. The authorities underscored the importance of the CBO as a tool for managing repeat offenders.
Moran’s case highlights ongoing challenges within the retail sector regarding theft and criminal behavior. As stores face increasing losses due to shoplifting, measures such as CBOs are becoming more prevalent to protect businesses and ensure a safer shopping environment for consumers.
