Serial shoplifter jailed and banned from two shops and areas in Wirral

A serial shoplifter has been jailed, banned from entering shops and two areas in Wirral after pleading guilty to thefts.

Paul Waters, 42 years, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to 14 counts of shop theft and Section 39 assault at Liverpool Magistrates Court yesterday (Monday 30 March). He was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison and issued with a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order which prohibits him entering a number of places.

The catalogue of offences read out in court detailed that Waters targeted Morrisons in West Kirby four times on two consecutive days (Thursday and Friday 26 and 27 March) stealing confectionary to the value of £360.

Other offences include putting a quantity of detergent pods into a bag, and when a shop assistant challenged him, the bag split open and the stolen goods dropped out it. He then pushed the worker into a display and made off from the shop with the stolen goods.

Under the order now in place, Waters is banned from entering any Home Bargains and any Co-Op store in Wirral. He is also prohibited him from entering Market Street in Hoylake and One-Stop on Banks Road in West Kirby, as well as Morrisons on Dee Lane, West Kirby.

Local Policing Inspector Sharon Robinson said: “Waters would brazenly take stock from the shelves and walk out of the shop without paying for them. He was identified on a number of occasions of stealing large quantities of items from different stores.

“Waters plagued stores in Hoylake, West Kirkby and beyond with his prolific offending so this is extremely positive news after the hard work of the team

“Criminal Behaviour Orders continue to be an extremely effective tool and our successful application to amend in this case shows our commitment to dealing robustly with repeat offenders who have a negative impact on the communities we serve. The order is in place until 29 March 2031. 
 
“We hope this serves as a clear warning to others, that the force will robustly take steps to address prolific offenders, working with businesses and partners.”

Anyone with information suspected theft or anti-social behaviour can to speak to local officers or contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously. In an emergency always call 999.