Serial Shoplifter Jailed for Breaching Supermarket Ban Across Kent
Clive Tilley sentenced to 12 weeks after ignoring Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from Co-op, Sainsbury’s and Tesco stores.
A repeat offender who defied a court order banning him from every major supermarket chain in Kent has been jailed for 12 weeks following a spree of thefts across Medway.
Clive Tilley, 43, with no fixed address, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on 7 March 2026 after pleading guilty to four shoplifting charges and four breaches of his Criminal Behaviour Order. The CBO had prohibited him from entering any Co-op, Sainsbury’s or Tesco store throughout Kent.
The Offending Spree
Between 27 February and 4 March 2026, Tilley targeted multiple stores across Rochester and Gillingham on four separate occasions. The goods stolen during this period were valued at £385, according to court documents.
Despite the wide-ranging nature of his supermarket bans, Tilley continued to enter premises and steal items. The Criminal Behaviour Order remains in force following his release from custody, meaning he faces immediate arrest if found in any of the banned stores.
Wider Crackdown on Retail Crime
Tilley’s case forms part of an intensified enforcement operation against retail theft in North Kent. Two additional suspects have been charged as part of the ongoing crackdown.
Jake Wilkinson faces five charges relating to thefts totalling over £1,000 between October 2025 and March 2026. Shemica Cabral has been charged with shoplifting over £200 worth of goods from Bluewater Shopping Centre on 8 March 2026.
The enforcement action involves partnership working between Kent Police, Business Crime Reduction Partnerships and shop owners across the region.
Police Response
Superintendent Matthew Burbeck said: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime and we do not underestimate the damaging impact it has on business owners.”
The police response has focused on North Kent retail businesses, with visible enforcement activity in Gillingham, Sittingbourne, Rochester and at Bluewater Shopping Centre. Cases are being processed through both Maidstone Crown Court and Medway Magistrates Court.
Criminal Behaviour Orders represent one tool being used to restrict repeat offenders’ access to retail premises. But Tilley’s case demonstrates the ongoing challenges authorities face in preventing determined offenders from reoffending.
Source: @kent_police
Key Takeaways
- Clive Tilley jailed for 12 weeks after breaching supermarket bans and stealing £385 worth of goods
- Criminal Behaviour Orders prohibit repeat offenders from entering specific retail chains across Kent
- Kent Police crackdown has led to multiple prosecutions with combined theft values exceeding £1,500
What This Means for Kent Residents
North Kent shoppers may notice increased security measures and police presence in major supermarkets as authorities tackle repeat offending. Business owners experiencing persistent theft should contact their local Business Crime Reduction Partnership to explore protective measures including Criminal Behaviour Orders. Residents can report suspicious activity in retail premises to Kent Police, helping protect local businesses from the financial impact of serial shoplifting.
