A man from Swindon has been handed an eight-month prison sentence and a strict Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) after a spree of offences in the town centre during the lead-up to Christmas.
Jamie Loveridge, 28, of Queens Drive, appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 6th February where he admitted to a catalogue of crimes – including four counts of shoplifting, burglary, common assault, and using threatening language with intent to incite violence. In addition to a six-month jail term, an earlier suspended eight-week sentence was activated, bringing the total sentence to eight months behind bars.
Loveridge’s CBO, which spans two years, excludes him from the pedestrianised zone of Swindon town centre as well as all Co-op stores in the area. Furthermore, he must now register any pedal cycles he owns with Wiltshire Police – a measure often used to monitor movement and prevent further criminal behaviour.
The CBO wasn’t issued lightly. It followed review by Swindon’s multi-agency CBO panel – a collaborative group made up of representatives from the Probation Service, substance misuse services, Swindon Borough Council, mental health professionals, and both the Neighbourhood Policing and Harm Reduction teams. The panel was formed to ensure such orders are fair, targeted, and not designed to set individuals up to fail.
Inspector David Tippetts, who chairs the panel, explained: “The aim of this process is to strike a balance between reducing repeat offending and offering an opportunity for change. This was the first CBO issued through the new panel, and others will follow where necessary.”
Upon release, any breach of the CBO conditions will lead to re-arrest and further court appearances. The decision to bar Loveridge from the town centre is intended to serve as a deterrent to others considering similar behaviour.
Inspector Tippetts added: “The exclusion from the town centre sends a clear message – anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in Swindon. We will continue to pursue CBOs when they’re justified and necessary.”
