A man responsible for stealing goods worth thousands of pounds from shops in Eastbourne has been handed a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) in an effort to prevent further offending.
Lee Parnaby, aged 32, of Terminus Road, Eastbourne, appeared before **Brighton Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 7 January, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of shoplifting. Since March 2024, Parnaby has been convicted of an alarming 50 counts of shoplifting.
Following a successful application by Sussex Police, the court issued a CBO lasting five years, imposing strict restrictions on Parnaby.
CBO Restrictions
The Criminal Behaviour Order prohibits Parnaby from:
- Entering Co-Op stores across East Sussex.
- Entering Sainsbury’s stores across East Sussex.
- Entering Marks and Spencer, Terminus Road, Eastbourne.
- Entering Tesco stores in Eastbourne.
- Entering Asda, The Crumbles, Eastbourne.
- Entering Morrisons, Grove Road, Eastbourne.
- Remaining on any retail premises in Sussex after being asked to leave by staff, owners, or security personnel.
Impact and Causes of Retail Crime
Retail crime, such as shoplifting, has significant negative consequences across the UK:
- Businesses suffer financial losses, leading to increased costs that are often passed onto customers.
- Retail staff experience heightened stress, fear, and even physical threats during incidents.
- Local communities see a decline in business sustainability, with some small retailers forced to close due to persistent losses.
- Offenders, often driven by poverty, addiction, or other vulnerabilities, are caught in cycles of crime without adequate support to change their behaviour.
Police Statement
Inspector Sarah Taylor, from the Eastbourne Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:
“Lee Parnaby is a prolific offender who repeatedly targeted the same stores, causing distress and fear to staff and customers.
“Sussex Police will use every avenue available to deal with offenders like him. The CBO for Parnaby is a real success and serves to protect retailers in the longer term.
“We are committed to improving working relationships with local stores. Anyone choosing to offend in this way should know that if they do not take the support offered to address their behaviour, we will not hesitate in escalating matters to protect businesses in our county.”
Community Protection
The case highlights Sussex Police's commitment to tackling retail crime, working closely with businesses to ensure staff and customers feel safe. Retail crime isn’t victimless—it affects livelihoods, well-being, and the sense of security in our communities.
If you witness shoplifting or have information about retail crime, contact Sussex Police on 101 or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Alternatively you can contact Catch a Thief UK via this website.
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