Lisa Willett, 45, was sentenced to 260 days in prison earlier this year after a series of shoplifting offences in Sittingbourne town centre. After serving just half her sentence, she was released on licence in June. However, her time outside prison was short-lived as she quickly reoffended.
In July, Willett was handed a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) following further thefts at Morrisons, Poundland, and Aldi stores in Sittingbourne. This CBO prohibited her from entering certain businesses, including locations where she had already been banned.
Despite these legal restrictions, Willett’s criminal behaviour continued. Just days after her re-release from prison, she was caught shoplifting once again. On July 29, Willett was apprehended at the Forum Shopping Centre in Sittingbourne, found with a black bag full of stolen items from Savers. She also admitted to another theft from a Co-op store in Upchurch back in May.
At Medway Magistrates’ Court, Willett pleaded guilty to both theft charges. The magistrates sentenced her to 30 days in prison for each offence, bringing her total sentence to 60 days. She was also ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs, adding to her existing £2,700 of fines.
Despite the CBO, Willett was not charged with breaching its terms, though her repeated offences highlight the challenges faced by authorities in managing prolific offenders. This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing problem of repeat offenders in the retail sector, who continue to cause distress and financial losses for local businesses.