A SHOPLIFTER who stole nearly £200 of chocolate from a convenience store has been jailed.

Colin Poole pinched £180 of chocolate bars from the Co-op on Hale Road in Widnes during two visits on Friday, January 29.

The 39-year-old also took meat worth £101 from a shop on Fir Park the following day.

He had been handed a criminal behaviour order by a court only days earlier, which banned the persistent thief from entering any Co-op store in the town.

Poole, of no fixed address, admitted three counts of thefts and breaching a CBO at Warrington Magistrates Court on Monday, February 1, and was handed 24 weeks behind bars.

Chief inspector Ian Whiley said: “The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant financial impact on shops, and the last thing that convenience stores in Widnes need is to be targeted by a persistent shoplifter like Colin Poole.

“Just days after having a five-year criminal behaviour order imposed in a bid to curb his shoplifting, he blatantly stole large quantities of chocolate and meat from stores in full view of staff and customers.

“He was swiftly made to face the consequences of his actions, and is now doing so behind bars.

“Those who continue to breach the terms of a CBO will continue to be sent to prison.

“The sanctions imposed for doing so can be severe, with the maximum penalty being five years behind bars.”

Magistrates also ordered Poole to pay compensation of £281.

Cheshire police and crime commissioner David Keane added: “This behaviour is totally unacceptable and this case sends out a clear message that persistent criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.”