Danny Hawkins
Shoplifting *
Sentence
3 years imprisonment
Danny Hawkins, 33, from Barnstaple, committed a stealing spree between May and September 2025, targeting multiple shops and bars including Boots, Betfred, Outcasts charity shop, Tesco, Saltrock, B&M, The Watergate pub, McDonald's, Go Outdoors, and Queen Anne's Cafe. He stole cash, clothes, charity boxes, fragrances, Lego boxes worth £1,235, North Face and Berghaus jackets, a bicycle, and a mobile phone. He also caused criminal damage to Queen Anne's Cafe and was found in possession of a Stanley-type lock knife upon arrest. Several premises banned him due to his nuisance behaviour. The rampage began in May with looting from a shed and stealing from a charity shop. In June, he stole from Boots and was arrested. While on bail, he damaged the cafe in August and stole charity boxes from various premises. In September, he stole from B&M and Go Outdoors, and the bicycle from Barbican Road.
Admitted multiple shoplifting charges. Judge James Patrick described offences as 'despicable' and 'mean'. Has 108 previous crimes, many for theft. Criminal behaviour order imposed for 8 years banning drinking and drug taking in public. Will serve 40% of sentence in prison. Defence noted spiral of drug use and criminality while living rough.