Northampton retail offender jailed and issued with criminal behaviour order

A 31-year-old man who stole thousands of pounds worth of cigarettes from two Northampton retailers has been jailed and issued with a five-year criminal behaviour order.

At Northampton Crown Court last month (May 29), Jonas Misevicius, of no fixed address, was sentenced to more than three years in prison after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to four charges.

On January 31, Misevicius entered the One Stop Shop in Main Road, Duston, at about 7.50am, and started booting the door to the secure area behind the till. When challenged, he became aggressive and assaulted a female store assistance, before stealing £1,533 of cigarettes.

He then targeted the One Stop Store in Kent Road, St Crispins, on February 4, 13 and 22. On each occasion, he jumped over the counter to gain access to the secure area behind the tills and stole a combined total of £4,656.42 of cigarettes.

After being identified as the suspect, Misevicius was arrested and subsequently appeared at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on February 26, where his case was committed to the crown court and he was remanded in custody.

Misevicius pleaded guilty at Northampton Crown Court on April 16 and returned to the same court at the end of last month where he was sentenced to three years and three months imprisonment and ordered to pay £228 victim surcharge.

He was also issued with the five-year criminal behaviour order which excludes him from every branch of One Stop Shops in Northamptonshire. If he breaches the court order, Misevicius faces further sanctions.

West LPA Response officer, PC Callum East who led the investigation, said: “Jonas Misevicius’ actions in repeatedly targeting the same shops caused distress to staff, who should have the right to work in a safe environment without fear of being assaulted.

“I am pleased that the courts have recognised the seriousness of Misevicius’ offending with a custodial sentence, and I hope this will also provide him with the chance to get the support he clearly needs.

“This sentence sends a clear message that we take retail crime very seriously and will continue to work with our business partners to make our communities safer places to live, work or visit.”

Northamptonshire Police is committed to delivering against the national Retail Crime Action Plan. For more information click here.