Conviction for breach of criminal behaviour order

A man has been given a suspended jail sentence in relation to breach of a criminal behaviour order in Bury St Edmunds.

Gavin McConkey, aged 55, of no fixed abode was arrested on Saturday, September 20, in the town centre on St John’s Street and taken into custody.

He was subsequently charged with five counts of breach of a criminal behaviour order by attending stores on September 9, 16 and 20 .

He was also charged with possession of a quantity of cannabis

McConkey appeared at Ipswich Magistrates Court (pictured above) on September 22 where pleaded guilty and he was sentenced to eight weeks in jail, suspended for 12 months.

In April earlier this year, McConkey was issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) by magistrates not to enter a string of shops in Bury town centre.

These were the Co-operative on Out Risbygate; Boots on the Cornhill;  Starlings Toys, Savers, on Abbeygate Street; Glasswells on Newmarket Road; Edmundo Lounge on the Cornhill; Sports Direct, H&M on Gosnold Street; Lorfords on Central Walk; and any Tesco’s in Bury St Edmunds.

The order has a duration of two years, ending in April 2027.

A CBO is an order following a conviction that prohibits the offender from doing anything described in the order.

This might include a condition preventing specific acts which cause harassment, alarm or distress or preparatory acts which the offending history shows are likely to lead to offences. It requires the offender not to do anything described in the order.

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 and empathise 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 business continue to report these crimes so we can investigate and look to prosecute when possible and appropriate.

“I’d also like to thank the response officers whose swift work secured the initial arrest and subsequent charges on McConkey.”