Shoplifter banned from 10 areas in Black Country and Birmingham after 137 crimes
A prolific shoplifter with 137 convictions will be banned from 10 shopping areas in the Black Country and Birmingham when he is freed from prison.
Raphael Scarlett's shocking rap sheet includes a whopping 85 convictions for theft and dishonesty. He has now been slapped with a criminal behaviour order which bars him from shops in Sandwell, Dudley, Wolverhampton, Walsall and Birmingham. Scarlett's latest conviction came at Wolverhampton Crown Court on June 17.
He was spotted stealing £69 worth of coffee and chocolate at B&M in Axeltree Way, Wednesbury, on April 20 this year.
The court heard how Scarlett grabbed a pair of scissors when he saw them on a desk after being taken to the security office of the store. He then pressed the scissors against the guard's throat before fleeing on a bike, but was stopped by the guard and detained.
At court this week he was banned from West Bromwich town centre, Oldbury town centre, Axeltree Way, Wednesbury, Windmill Lane Retail Park, Smethwick, One Stop Shop in Horseley Road, Tipton, Morrisons on the Black Country Route, Bilston, Great Bridge shopping area in Tipton, Co-operative Food in High Holborn Road, Sedgley, Tesco Express in Kent Street, Dudley and TK Maxx at the Bullring in Birmingham.
He was ordered not to harass, alarm or cause distress to anyone and not to enter the zones specified. Exclusion zone conditions were relaxed so that Scarlett can go to his probation office, the police station, doctor's surgeries or hospitals.
He will be banned for two years and six months from the shopping areas upon his release from prison.
A condition initially touted to ban him from using razor blades was withdrawn.
Scarlett, of Grenville Drive, Smethwick, is currently serving a one year and 10 month sentence after being convicted of affray and theft at Wolverhampton Crown Court in June this year.
Recorder James Steel QC told Scarlett at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday: "You must not cause harass, alarm or cause distress to anyone. You also must not enter any of the exclusion zones as specified.
"You are not to enter any of the shops without the means to pay for the goods you wish to take away.
"If you breach any of the conditions you will be brought before the court again and appropriately punished."
