A man has been handed a suspended jail sentence after repeatedly breaching a criminal behaviour order (CBO) in Bury St Edmunds.

Gavin McConkey, 55, of no fixed abode, was arrested on Saturday 20 September in St John’s Street and taken into custody. He was later charged with five counts of breaching a CBO by attending stores on 9, 16 and 20 September. He was also charged with possession of cannabis.

McConkey appeared at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on 22 September, where he pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

The court heard that McConkey had been issued with a two-year CBO in April this year, prohibiting him from entering several Bury town centre shops, including the Co-op on Out Risbygate, Boots, Starlings Toys, Savers, Glasswells, Edmundo Lounge, Sports Direct, H&M, Lorfords and any Tesco stores in the town. The order runs until April 2027.

Inspector Joseph Nettleton of Bury St Edmunds Community Policing Team said:
“This shows our continued commitment and priority in tackling retail crime in Bury St Edmunds, as we understand the detrimental impact such activity has on retailers and the wider community. We continue to work to tackle retail theft and related anti-social behaviour to ensure Bury St Edmunds town centre remains a safe and pleasant place for all.

“It’s vital that we work with businesses and that they continue to report these crimes so we can investigate and prosecute where possible. I’d also like to thank the response officers whose swift work secured the initial arrest and charges.”