Telford man jailed after shoplifting spree across Shropshire
Alex Bull, 40, of no fixed abode, appeared before Telford Magistrates’ Court on 23 February 2026 following a two-month stealing spree that targeted various convenience stores. The court heard how the thefts began in December 2025 when Bull took 40 boxes of chocolate from the Co-op in Oakengates, before returning to the same shop in early January to steal a further £215 worth of confectionery.
The full list of items and locations involved in the charges included:
- Co-op Food Market, Oakengates: 40 boxes of chocolate (£125) and additional chocolate (£215.35).
- Co-op, Donnington: Laundry detergent (£30), three tubs of Ariel gel, and two JD and coke mixers (£32).
- Nisa, Wheatland Services, Much Wenlock: 15 blocks of Cathedral City cheese (£74.85) and various snacks (£25).
- Co-op, Bridgnorth: Coffee of an unknown value.
- Spar, Broseley: Chocolate bars of an unknown value.
Bull pleaded guilty to the charges, with the court noting he showed a “flagrant disregard for court orders” and a “wilful and persistent failure” to comply with a previous community order. Consequently, he was sentenced to two weeks in prison and handed a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) which expires in February 2029.
Under the strict terms of the CBO, Bull is legally prohibited from entering any Co-op store across Telford and Shropshire. He is also banned from specific premises including Wheatland Services in Much Wenlock, Spar and the Village Stores in Broseley, Euro Garages in Hadley, and the Co-op branches in Donnington, Oakengates, Bridgnorth, and Stirchley.
The order further dictates that he must not refuse to leave any premises or area when instructed to do so by anyone with authority or management permission.
