A prolific gym thief has been locked up after he stole a number of watches worth just under £78,000 from lockers in the City of London.
John Fletcher, 46, was sentenced to four years in prison for thirteen counts of theft at the Old Bailey on August 14.
Officers from the City of London Police also applied for Fletcher, of Woodland Grove, Greenwich, to be made subject of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).
The CBO in place states Fletcher must not enter any gym, fitness centre or spa within the M25, except those located within prisons, for the next 20 years.
If he does, he can be arrested immediately.
“The City of London Police has a zero tolerance to crimes of this nature," said detective chief inspector Matt Mountford.
“Fletcher deliberately came into the City for no other reason but to commit theft.
“Our officers have worked hard to identify Fletcher and gain enough evidence to put him before the courts in a matter of weeks to ensure swift justice was done.”
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Other notable CBOs
City of London Police has been using CBOs to put measures in place to ensure habitual criminals cannot reoffend when they are released from prison since late 2015.
Leroy Sabaroche frequently stole pedal cycles across London to fund his drug and alcohol addiction.
He was undeterred by any of the sentences handed to him by the courts over a period of 20 years and was therefore deemed to be a prime candidate for a CBO.
In April 2019 he was sentenced to two years in prison for theft and issued a five-year CBO prohibiting him from entering the City of London or being in possession of any bicycle not registered on Bike Register.
Ricky Edwards also stole to fund his addiction, and did so for over 15 years.
Edwards predominantly targeted “staff only” areas within premises, tailgating people inside and stealing wallets, cash and bank cards.
In June 2019 he was convicted at Southwark Crown Court for 12 offences, and handed a four-year custodial sentence plus a ten-year CBO.
John Stockwell was another prolific thief who targeted Boots, and Holland and Barrett stores, in the City of London.
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In July 2019 he was issued a 10 year CBO which prohibited him from entering the City of London, as well as any Boots or Holland and Barrett store within the M25.
DCI Mountford added : “Criminal Behaviour Orders are a great tool for the police. Our work doesn’t just stop when the courts hand someone a sentence.
“It is important we use everything in our power to prevent habitual offenders returning to a life of crime and coming into the City to commit the same offences once they are released from prison.”
Find out more information on how to protect yourself from falling victim to theft here.
