Co-op shoplifter banned from every store in Essex is jailed

Defiant thief Daniel Bannerman brazenly returned to the supermarket’s branches in Colchester’s Old Heath Road and The Commons to commit his latest crimes in June.

The 30-year-old had been formally banned in September 2021 from entering all Co-op stores across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk.

But Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard his shoplifting campaign continued on June 15 and 18 when he stole 32 bottles of wine from the two shops.

Bannerman, of North Station Road, Colchester, also snatched two baskets to enable his raids which totalled £260.97 in value.

The crook admitted three counts of theft and two counts of breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order when he appeared in court.

Raid - the Co-op in The Commons, Colchester

Bannerman was sentenced to 24 weeks imprisonment and ordered to pay £253.68 in compensation for his crimes.

A magistrates' report reads: “[The offence is] so serious because the defendant has not only breached a Criminal Behaviour Order twice by entering the stores from which he is excluded, but has also committed charges of theft whilst there”.

Bannerman’s punishment was aggravated by the fact just last June he was sentenced for stealing more than £1,000 worth of meat and wine in a single month.

The crimes in 2021 saw him target Co-op branches in Colchester, West Bergholt and Stanway, as well as a Colchester One Stop store.

The value of goods stolen totalled £1,779.

On one occasion, when a member of staff challenged Bannerman, the thief said “come any closer and I’ll knock you out”, Ipswich Crown Court heard last June.

A victim impact statement from a Co-op member of staff read to the court said: “He has committed a countless amount of theft over years, resulting in massive loss due to the items taken and time this has now cost.

“Staff are fearful Daniel may return at any time, causing harassment, alarm and stress to colleagues.”

Last year, Bannerman was handed an eight month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.