Countywide Co-op ban for prolific Northampton shoplifter

A prolific shoplifter who admitted a racially aggravated assault, five thefts, one fraud, and failing to attend court has been banned from all Co-op stores in Northamptonshire thanks to teamwork between Northamptonshire Police and West Northamptonshire Council (WNC).

Jordan McKenzie, aged 31, had gone to the firm’s store in Fieldmill Square on August 24, 2023, to purchase cigarettes but did not have enough cash.

When told he could not have the cigarettes, he became verbally and then physically aggressive to a staff member, including using racist language. This incident led to him being charged with racially aggravated assault.

McKenzie was also charged with multiple thefts from a shop after he repeatedly targeted the same store between September 2023 and January 2024, stealing produce worth up to £220 a time.

He was also charged with fraud by false representation in relation to the use of a stolen bank card on January 14 this year.

McKenzie appeared in Northampton Magistrates’ Court on April 17, where he changed his plea to guilty on all the theft offences, the fraud and assault charges.

He had previously also entered guilty pleas to two counts of failing to surrender to court bail.

McKenzie, of Fieldmill Road, Northampton, was given a total custodial sentence of 20 weeks, suspended for 18 months, and was also handed a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) which bans him from entering any Co-op store in the county, and from entering the area of Fieldmill Square, including the Co-op but excluding the nearby Deers Leap pub.

He was also ordered to undergo a drug rehabilitation programme for six months, complete rehabilitation activity of up to 20 days, and ordered to pay a total of £522.86 compensation and £250 costs.

Seven further charges of theft and one of assault against McKenzie were dismissed at the hearing.

Speaking afterwards, investigating officer PC Daniel Lynch of Northampton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Jordan McKenzie is a repeat offender who has caused nothing but misery to those working and shopping at the Fieldmill Square Co-op store.

“We take a robust approach to repeat retail crime offenders in Northamptonshire and will always explore all available measures to prevent further offending.

“Thanks to our work with colleagues at West Northamptonshire Council it’s great to see this CBO granted against McKenzie.

“If he breaches this by entering any Co-op store anywhere in the county he risks prison, and equally if he offends in other stores, the courts would also be able to activate his suspended sentence.

“I very much hope McKenzie’s sentence and CBO help to reassure the local community that we do not tolerate shoplifting and will do all we can to protect stores and their staff, who are vital community resources.”

Anyone with information regarding the breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or report online at www.northants.police.uk/RO. In an emergency, always call 999.