A prolific Sussex criminal has been banned from every branch of Co-op in the county, after admitting a string of offences last week.
Arron Jones, aged 32, carried out thefts across West Sussex between July and December 2025,and admitted 15 charges in court this week.
Jones’ thefts amounted to more than £1,000, ranging from meat and poultry to bottles of alcohol, packs of butter and even football trading cards.
He was identified as a prolific offender by officers from the Worthing Response Investigation Team. he admitted 13 charges of shop theft at a hearing at Crawley Magistrates’ Court, as well as two charges of burglary.
The court told Jones, of Brighton Road, Crawley, that he was forbidden from entering any Co-op store in Sussex as part of a Criminal Behaviour Oder (CBO). The order also specified he was not to enter into any store in Sussex with a named accomplice.
The CBO also forbids him from remaining on any premises if asked to leave by any owner, staff member or security guard, and they are encouraged to call the police in the case of any breach.
Jones was ordered to pay £581 in compensation to the Co-op, £248 in compensation to Sainsbury’s, £240 in compensation to M&S, £167 in compensation to Waitrose and £10 in compensation to Greggs.
He was also ordered to complete six months of treatment for drug rehabilitation, and do ten Rehabilitation Activity Requirement sessions as part of a one-year community order.
Chief Inspector James Davidson said: “Jones was identified as a target for his persistent shop theft offences across stores in West Sussex, primarily Co-op stores. We understand the concern shoplifting causes for the community and for shop workers faced with these offences.”
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