A shopping trip to Tesco has landed a man who had previously been banned from a raft of Carlisle stores back in hot water.
Repeat offender Dale Thomas Graham, 39, was jailed for 20 weeks in September. Graham was punished after turning violent and trying to throttle a security guard as he was detained while trying to leave a B&M Bargains store.
As part of his punishment, he was made subject to a criminal behaviour order (CBO) in a bid to prevent further trouble and offending. Under the strict terms of that CBO, Graham — who has scores of offences on his criminal record — was banned entering all outlets which are part of the Carlisle Shopwatch Scheme and Retailers Against Crime, including Tesco.
But he breached the order on Sunday January 8 after entering the company’s Victoria Viaduct premises.
Graham asked a member of staff about tin foil, which he bought at a self-service point before heading to the tobacco kiosk to purchase a lighter.
He was then approached by a security guard who had been monitoring his movements and informed the shopper he should not be there.
From the dock at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court today, Graham admitted what was his first CBO breach.
John Smith, giving mitigation, understood Graham, of Charlotte Street, Carlisle, had not been provided with a paper copy of the CBO and list of the stores from which he was banned. “I didn’t even realise,” Graham said of his unlawful Tesco visit from the dock.
There had, said Mr Smith of that visit, been “no violence, threats, abuse, raised voices” — just a “perfectly normal conversation”. Graham had then said: “I’m sorry. I will leave. I won’t come back.”
The court heard he was showing improved compliance with the probation service since being released from custody with post-sentence supervision continuing in the coming months.
District Judge John Temperley imposed a 12-month community order comprising more rehabilitation work. He also directed that Graham should be given a printed copy of the CBO listing the out-of-bounds outlets.
