Nuisance thief banned from city centre

Adam Sykes, 42, of no fixed address, appeared before magistrates recently to answer to four counts of theft from Poundstretcher on Wakefield’s Dewsbury Road.

He had stolen around £100 worth of items in total, including bottles of detergent and hand sanitiser.

He admitted the charges, along with using threatening behaviour at the Co-op petrol station on Horbury Road.

He was jailed for four months as a direct result, but also handed a the two-year CBO which is intended to keep him out of the city centre, and any shops or premises that he is already banned from.

This includes Asda and Poundstretcher, both on Dewsbury Road, Co-op in Horbury and the Co-op petrol station on Dewsbury Road. He is also banned from The Ridings.

If he breaches the terms on his release, he is likely to be swiftly returned to prison.

The CBO was granted by the court following work between Wakefield Council and West Yorkshire Police.

Antony Sadler, who is Wakefield Council’s service director for communities, said: “Adam Sykes has repeatedly shop-lifted in Wakefield city centre as well as from several stores on the outskirts of the city centre, threatening staff and leaving them fearing for their safety.

“We hope this sends out a very strong message to others that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.”