A prolific shoplifter has been banned from a number of shops across Sussex after being convicted of stealing hundreds of pounds worth of goods from stores in Chichester.
Mwiya Kamutumwa, 24, who is locally known as Kush, committed a string of thefts from February 18 to April 14, targeting shops such as Tesco Express, Co-Op on South Street, TK Maxx on East Street, and One Stop on St Paul’s Road.
Items stolen included household cleaning products, trainers, an Easter egg, and multiple boxes of chocolate bars.
Thanks to reports made by the affected businesses, Sussex Police were able to build a strong case against Kamutumwa, leading to a successful prosecution.
He was charged with six counts of shop theft, all of which he pleaded guilty to. At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 15 April, he was handed a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
In addition to his suspended sentence, the court issued a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), which includes several strict conditions:
- Kamutumwa must not remain on any retail premises in Sussex after being asked to leave.
- He is banned from entering all Sainsbury’s and Co-Op stores in Sussex.
- He must not enter any retail or commercial premises without funds or proof of purchase.
- He is prohibited from entering Portfield Retail Park in Chichester.
He was also ordered to take part in a drug rehabilitation programme.
A spokesperson for Sussex Police said the CBO was an important tool to protect both local businesses and the wider community from further offending.
