Prolific shoplifter Paul James banned from Norwich stores

Paul James can no longer visit any Tesco stores in Norwich city centre as well as Chantry Place, Riverside Retail Park and Primark.

The ban comes after the 33-year-old visited the Tesco Express shop in Plumstead Road in a wheelchair on August 12 and put eight packs of chicken fillets in his lap before leaving without paying. 

He was also caught on CCTV stealing two electric razors from Boots in Riverside. 

James, who is currently serving time in HMP Norwich but has previously lived in Mile Cross, appeared for sentence at Norwich Magistrates Court on Monday.

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He had previously admitted to two charges of theft from shops and confessed to a further 20 offences while in prison.

The additional offences included stealing spirits, coffee, prosecco, chocolates and a pair of Specsavers’ sunglasses.

Between March 2022 and September 2023, James stole £1,800 worth of goods including £532 worth of spirits stolen from Morrisons in Gorleston.

Only £170 of the £1,800 has been recovered.

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The court handed James a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) and an additional two months and one week in jail to run concurrently.

Paul James is a prolific Norwich shoplifter (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

The CBO bans James from large areas of the city including the Riverside and Cathedral retail parks, Chantry Place shopping centre, Iceland in Anglia Square and every Co-op and Tesco store in the Norwich City Council area.

It also requires James to provide a valid receipt for any purchases upon request, inform police of any change of address within 48 hours and engage with the county council's Change, Live, Grow programme to tackle his drug and alcohol abuse.

He is due to be released in February 2024.