Banning order for prolific offender who threatened shop staff with a hypodermic needle

A prolific shoplifter who threatened staff with a hypodermic needle has been jailed for 20 weeks and banned from entering shops in Newark.

Michael Lowe (30),  of no fixed address, has also been banned from carrying a needle in public in Newark after he was found guilty of multiple shop thefts in February and breaching a suspended sentence for previous shop thefts, when he appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on February 22.

Newark and Sherwood District Council and Nottinghamshire Police successfully applied for a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) against Lowe to allow swift and robust action if he repeats his criminal and anti-social behaviours. A key focus of the district council’s Cleaner, Safer and Greener campaign is to ensure effective enforcement to help protect the public.

The terms of the CBO mean that Lowe is banned from entering any retail premises in Newark Town Centre apart from Inmaan Pharmacy in Eton Avenue and Aldi, in North Gate. He is also banned from entering Northgate Retail Park, Sainsbury’s Store in  Balderton  and the Co-op Store, Bowbridge Road. 

The order also prohibits him from being in possession of a hypodermic needle in a public place in Newark unless it is for medical use.

Inspector Heather Sutton, Neighbourhood Inspector for Newark, said: “Lowe is a habitual criminal and his constant offending has had a huge impact on the businesses and their employees in Newark, who have fallen victim to his crimes and quite frankly should not have to put up with his behaviour.

"Threatening someone with a hypodermic needle is a despicable act, which would put fear into anyone and it must have been a frightening experience for those people who were just doing their job.

“I’d like to reassure the community that we are well aware of Lowe’s disregard for the law and following the work of police and council officers to obtain this criminal behaviour order, we will react swiftly to any breaches.

“This follows on from Operation Jingle which saw Newark beat team focus their attention on preventing  shop thefts in the area during the run up to Christmas.”

District council leader David Lloyd said: “Newark and Sherwood District Council actively supports Nottinghamshire Police in utilising civil powers to protect and support local businesses against theft and anti-social behaviour.

“We are working together to crack down on criminal behaviour within the district and successfully obtaining this order sends a clear message that people cannot get away with this type of behaviour. We hope this provides the wider community with reassurance that action is being taken against offenders.”