'Prolific' Hotel Chocolat thief banned from store

A "prolific" sweet-toothed thief has been banned from a Hotel Chocolat store.

Nottinghamshire Police said Charlotte Jones targeted the Albert Street store in Nottingham city centre twice in the run-up to Christmas 2025, and again on 2 January.

On Monday, the force added that following her guilty plea for the thefts, it had secured a criminal behaviour order banning Jones, 35, of Cheltenham Street in Old Basford, Nottingham, from entering the shop for two years.

Sgt Dan Butler said: "As long as prolific shoplifters keep committing offences, we will continue to put them before the courts."

Jones pleaded guilty to stealing chocolates worth £90 on 8 December, £62 worth of products on 23 December, and £60 worth of chocolate on 2 January.

In total, Jones had stolen £851 worth of chocolates in seven separate thefts from the same shop since December 2024.

On 3 January, she was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, at Nottingham Magistrates' Court.

She was also ordered to complete 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay £152 in compensation, as well as the criminal behaviour order - which bans her from the shop - granted on 17 January.

Any breach of the order is a criminal offence and could result in being returned to prison, police added.

A spokesperson for Hotel Chocolat said: "We are aware of incidents at our Albert Street store, which have been addressed by Nottingham Magistrates' Court.

"We are fully supporting Nottinghamshire Police and will continue to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our staff."

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