Persistent Wrexham shoplifter jailed and banned from city stores

A 35-year-old Wrexham man has been jailed for persistent shoplifting and banned from entering any shop in the city.

Patrick McGrath, Bryn Hafod, Southsea, appeared before Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday, October 31^st where he was jailed for 12 weeks for theft.

Despite being banned from the store, he went into Farmfoods in Wrexham on Monday, October 28^th and put £29 worth of items into a rucksack before walking out without attempting to pay.

He was located in the city on Wednesday, October 30^th and arrested for the offence, which breached his suspended license period for previous shoplifting offences.

His arrest came a day after the court extended a community behaviour order (CBO) banning him from entering any retail premises until February 2027.

PC Danielle Fleming said: “Tackling retail crime is a priority in Wrexham, and we will continue to support that by robustly dealing with shoplifters.

“The impact of these offences on businesses can not be underestimated and it is not a victimless crime.

“As part of the new Operation Blizzard launched in the city today, local officers will be working with local businesses and partner organisations every day to crack down on retail crime in the run up to Christmas.

“It aims to tackle habitual and repeat perpetrators, ensuring we protect staff, customers and businesses from this type of criminality, so Wrexham city is a safer place to live work and visit.

“We will continue to identify offenders and bring them before the courts.”