A woman who stole from multiple shops in the Colchester area has received a court banning order.
Joanna Reynolds, who lives in the city, admitted stealing at least £3,560 of wine, coffee, chocolate, steak and other meat, alcohol, detergents and perfume on 41 different occasions between 21 December 2025 and 29 September 2026.
Shops that Reynolds targeted included the Eastwood BP service station, Budgens, Co-op stores in Old Heath Road and Tamarisk Way, the Spar in Braiswick and Tesco.
City magistrates have now imposed a two-year criminal behaviour order which forbids Reynolds, from entering any Co-op store across Essex. She also received a 48-week jail term, suspended for 12 months.
Theft impact
Neighbourhood policing inspector, Martin Willsher said: “My officers recognise the impact that shop theft has, not only on retail staff and customers who witness such incidents but on the community as a whole. I’m pleased Reynolds has been banned from all Co-op stores across the county for two years.
“I hope this, combined with a suspended custodial sentence, will act as a significant deterrent and give her a chance to change her offending behaviour while providing respite to the businesses and communities affected by it.”
“Colchester Neighbourhood Policing Team will do all we can to support businesses and help them to prevent shop theft, while also ensuring criminal behaviour orders are complied with. When they are not, we will always seek to put offenders back before the courts.”
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