Shoplifter Banned from Formby Stores Until 2028 Following Criminal Behaviour Order Extension

A man has been handed an extended Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) after being convicted of a series of shop theft offences in Formby.

Paul McKenzie Stewart, 52, of St Edmonds Road, Bootle, appeared before the courts charged with three counts of shop theft from the One Stop Shop on Cross Green, Formby. Although he pleaded not guilty to the offences, he was subsequently found guilty.

At Sefton Magistrates’ Court, Stewart was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 24 months. The court also extended his Criminal Behaviour Order for a further two years and imposed additional restrictions.

The amended order will remain in force until 13 August 2028.

Under the terms of the order, Stewart is prohibited from entering the following locations:

• South Road, Waterloo

• Any B&M or Boots store in Merseyside

• Derby Road, Southport

• Spar, Harington Road, Formby

• One Stop Shop, Cross Green, Formby

• Sainsbury’s, Liverpool Road, Crosby

• Lidl, Virginia Street, Southport

• Tesco Express, Coronation Road, Crosby

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Ken Sumner said:

“Shop theft has a significant impact on businesses, their staff and the wider community. Retailers should be able to operate without suffering repeated theft and the associated costs and disruption that these offences cause.

“This result demonstrates our commitment to tackling repeat offenders and supporting businesses across our communities. Criminal Behaviour Orders are an effective tool in preventing further offending and protecting retailers from those who persistently commit crime.

“Working alongside our partners through the Merseyside Antisocial Behaviour Partnership, we are committed to using every available power to tackle antisocial behaviour, retail crime and repeat offending. This order forms part of our ongoing work to protect businesses, support local communities and hold offenders accountable for their actions.

“Stewart is now subject to strict conditions, and if he breaches any part of this order, he will be arrested, brought back before the courts and could face imprisonment.

“We would encourage anyone who witnesses Stewart breaching the terms of his order or committing further offences to report it to Merseyside Police via the Merseyside Police Contact Centre on social media or by calling 101.”

The extension of the Criminal Behaviour Order means Stewart can be arrested immediately if he breaches any of its conditions, providing additional protection for retailers and businesses across Formby and the wider Merseyside area.