A prolific offender has been sentenced to 20 weeks in prison and handed a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) following a series of thefts across Merseyside. Adam Lees, 38, of no fixed address, is now prohibited from entering numerous retail stores and a large section of Liverpool city centre until September 2028.
Key Takeaways
- Adam Lees, 38, has been jailed for 20 weeks for multiple theft offences.
- A three-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) is now in effect, banning him from specific areas and stores.
- The ban includes all Merseyside branches of Co-Op Food, Sainsburys, John Lewis, Home Bargains, and Go Local Extra.
- Lees is also barred from a designated zone within Liverpool city centre.
- The conviction follows several incidents, including thefts of goods worth over £190 and a restaurant burglary.
Court Imposes Strict Sanctions
Liverpool Magistrates' Court issued the sentence and the extensive CBO after hearing details of Lees' repeated offences. The court's decision reflects a firm stance on tackling persistent retail crime that affects businesses and the community.
The 20-week prison sentence was handed down for his conviction on several counts of shop theft. The CBO, which will remain active for three years, imposes strict conditions on Lees upon his release from custody.
What is a Criminal Behaviour Order?
A Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) is a court order issued in England and Wales, designed to tackle the most serious and persistent anti-social individuals. A CBO can prohibit an individual from doing certain things, such as entering a specific area, or require them to address their behaviour, for example, by attending a drug treatment programme. Breaching a CBO is a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment.
Widespread Ban Across Liverpool
The terms of the Criminal Behaviour Order are comprehensive, aiming to prevent Lees from reoffending in his usual locations. The order specifically targets major retail chains and a significant commercial part of Liverpool.
Banned Retail Locations
Under the order, Lees is prohibited from entering any branch of the following stores anywhere in Merseyside:
- Co-Op Food
- Sainsburys
- John Lewis
- Home Bargains
- Go Local Extra
This extensive ban covers dozens of stores across the region, providing a measure of protection for businesses that have been repeatedly targeted.
City Centre Exclusion Zone
In addition to the retail ban, Lees is barred from entering a designated area of Liverpool city centre. The boundaries of this zone are clearly defined by major city streets.
The exclusion area includes:
- Strand Street
- James Street
- Castle Street
- Dale Street
- Crosshall Street
- Hood Street
- St George’s Place
- Lime Street
- Renshaw Street
- Berry Street
- Duke Street
- Paradise Street
- Liver Street
- Wapping
This zone covers a large portion of Liverpool's primary shopping, business, and leisure districts, effectively removing Lees from the areas he most frequently offended in.
A Pattern of Persistent Thefts
The court's decision was supported by a list of offences committed by Lees over several months. These incidents demonstrated a consistent pattern of theft from city centre businesses.
Total Value of Stolen Goods: In the July incidents alone, Adam Lees stole goods with a combined value of over £190 from just two stores in Liverpool city centre.
One key incident occurred in September when police patrols witnessed Lees running along Vauxhall Road carrying a large box of confectionery. He was being pursued by staff from a Go Local Extra store. Officers arrested him on suspicion of theft.
Further inquiries linked Lees to several other unsolved thefts. In July, he stole chocolate from a Co-Op store on Leece Street on two consecutive days, with the stolen goods valued at nearly £90 and £35 respectively. That same month, he stole two tubs of creatine worth £70 from a Holland & Barratt on Whitechapel.
His offending was not limited to shoplifting. In March, Lees was charged in connection with a burglary at Twin Flavours restaurant on Dale Street. After failing to access the cash register, he stole a handbag containing personal items.
Police Response to Retail Crime
Merseyside Police welcomed the court's decision, highlighting it as a significant step in protecting local businesses from prolific offenders.
"Lees catalogue of shoplifting and theft was read out in court to support this conviction. He is now banned from going into several retail chains on Merseyside and not to set foot in parts of the city centre. This is great news for the local community and businesses where he has plagued the area with his prolific offending."
Constable Ward emphasised the relief the CBO would bring to retailers. He stated that the order, in place until September 2028, will give businesses a "welcome respite from Lees criminality."
He also urged the public to report any breaches of the order following Lees' release from prison. According to Constable Ward, Merseyside Police is committed to working with retailers and other partners to disrupt and deter offenders who cause harm to communities.
The force hopes this outcome reassures staff and customers that retail crime will not be tolerated and that similar orders will be sought against other persistent offenders.