Blackburn Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Christopher Costello, a prolific shoplifter, was given a Criminal Behaviour Order in April 2025 prohibiting him from entering specific areas of Colne town centre, including streets like Market Street and premises like Tesco Express. On July 28, 2025, he stole items from Tesco in Colne, breaching the order, and committed a further breach on July 29, 2025.

Mark Tomlinson, of no fixed address, was charged with 18 counts of theft and caught shoplifting again on July 29, 2025, at various locations including Spar shops, Rossendale Road service station, Barracks Road service station, Kitchens service station, Pets at Home, and Aldi. He also assaulted two police officers during the incident, targeting more than 20 stores in total and causing misery for traders.

David Hodgson Smith, from Hudson Street, Burnley, was arrested on July 28, 2025, for shoplifting and charged with three shoplifting offences. He appeared in court, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced, with the offences involving theft from shops that made life miserable for traders in the area.

Anthony Eden, 48, of no fixed address, was caught stealing from shops in Blackburn town centre. He was identified and arrested on July 23, 2025, following reports from multiple organisations about shoplifting by the same offender. The incidents involved theft from shops, leading to his charges and sentencing.

David Yates, 40, of Cheltenham Road, Blackburn, was convicted of two thefts from shops and three breaches of his Criminal Behaviour Order. He ignored a previous ban and continued shoplifting, leading to his sentencing as part of Operation Vulture and Safer Streets Summer.

Zubeda Haq stole food items worth £45 from Lidl supermarket in Preston on April 21. She has a history of prolific criminal offending, including multiple convictions for theft, shoplifting, fly tipping, and a previous jail sentence for benefits fraud in 1998. The court noted her disregard for court orders and her mental health issues.