Police in Mexborough caught and arrested Adrian Nickson for shoplifting shortly after his release from prison for the same offence.
Nickson was jailed for a spree of thefts at Poundland in Mexborough Last Month, following an investigation by Doncaster South Neighbourhood Policing Team.
On Thursday 13 February officers spotted Nickson once again trying to steal from Poundland in the town centre and pursued him towards the canal.
The on-foot chase concluded when Nickson was trapped by officers at the canal’s edge.
Left with nowhere to run Nickson jumped into the canal. Officers had to haul him to safety before arresting him.
He received a suspended sentence and was made subject to a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order.
This type of order is intended to address persistent antisocial behaviour such as that displayed by Nickson’s re-offending history.
The order bans him from entering Co-op in Adwick Road and Poundland in Market Hall.
PC Elisabeth Rocher said: “Nickson clearly showed no remorse for his prior offending as he was caught stealing from local businesses after being released from prison.
On the following day Nickson appeared before Doncaster Magistrate’s Court where he pleaded guilty to three counts of theft.
Official police data shows Mexborough is among the top 20 most dangerous small towns in South Yorkshire, and is among the top 20 most dangerous overall in South Yorkshire.
This compares poorly to South Yorkshire’s overall crime rate, coming in 41% higher than the rest of the region.
PC Rocher said: “We won’t tolerate retail crime in Mexborough and that is why we worked quickly to apprehend him and bring him before the courts so he could be sentenced.”
“If he breaks the terms of this order, he could find himself back in prison and I would urge local businesses and residents to report any breaches to police so we can act and prosecute.”
