Serial shoplifter sentenced to prison for defying court order in Telford

A woman has been handed a 25-week custodial sentence for breaching her Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) after she was caught stealing from shops in Telford.

Nicola Jefferies, of no fixed abode, appeared at Telford Magistrates Court, where she pleaded guilty to seven counts of breaching a CBO and seven counts of theft.

The court heard how between October 2025 and February 2026 the 44-year-old stole a number of items from stores across Telford, despite having a CBO banning her from entering certain shops in the town.

During that time period Jefferies stole a dog bed, a book, a travel mug and chocolates which amounted to a total of £264.

Jefferies was given a 25-week sentence by the Magistrate on Monday, 2 March.

Sergeant Rich Jones, from Telford's town centre team, said: “Jefferies repeatedly chose to ignore the conditions of her CBO and continued to steal from shops across Telford.

"Her actions caused ongoing frustration and financial loss to local businesses, and this custodial sentence reflects the seriousness of her behaviour.

"CBOs are put in place to protect our communities, and when they are breached we will take swift action. We hope this sentence offers reassurance to local retailers that we will continue to work with them to identify offenders and bring them before the courts.”