Newport Thief Jailed After Flouting Ban in £95 Crime Spree

A serial thief has been locked up after flouting his criminal behaviour order and embarking on another shoplifting spree across Newport. 🔒

Kirk Edwards, 28, of Queens Hill, Newport, was jailed for 12 months after breaching a nine-month suspended prison sentence imposed just last month for similar offences. An additional three-month consecutive sentence was added for his recent thefts.

Edwards pleaded guilty to stealing items including chocolate, sweets, fabric softener, milk and a pie from various stores between March 10-20, with goods valued at over £95. He also admitted three counts of breaching his criminal behaviour order.

PC Claire Drayton from Newport’s neighbourhood policing team said: “I want to reassure businesses and residents that we are listening to your concerns. Theft, and particularly shoplifting, is not a victimless crime; the impact of this offending is hugely felt by our communities, notably businesses and retailers.”

The criminal behaviour order, which remains in place until Saturday, August 14, 2027, prohibits Edwards from entering numerous premises including:

• Every Tesco, Aldi and Sainsbury’s stores in Newport
• Boots and eVapor on Commercial Street in Newport
• Shell garage on Henllys Way in Cwmbran
• Sainsbury’s petrol station on Llewelyn Road in Cwmbran
• TK Maxx at Mendalgief Retail Park in Newport
• Every Spar in Newport

Edwards has also been ordered to pay compensation to his victims. 💷