Oyas Ali, a 53-year-old resident of Barnet Grove in Shoreditch, has been sentenced to 14 weeks in jail for committing five counts of theft, amounting to £1,600 worth of stolen items. In addition to his prison term, Ali has also been issued a criminal behaviour order (CBO), which prohibits him from entering the City of London for the next five years.
Having amassed a staggering 25 convictions in the past, Ali has earned the reputation of being a “professional shoplifter.” His primary target was the Boots cosmetics retailer located in Moorgate, as revealed by the City of London Police. They have classified Ali as a “prolific thief” due to his persistent thieving activities.
In response to this case, Inspector Dan Green of the City of London Police expressed satisfaction at the outcome, stating, “This is another commendable outcome that bans a repeat offender from entering the City, serving as a stern reminder to criminals that we will ensure they face the consequences of their actions.” Recognizing the effectiveness of the CBO, Inspector Green highlighted that any violation of the order by Ali could result in further imprisonment.
Ali’s history of criminal offenses extends back to 2007, and it was at the City of London Magistrates’ Court that he received his sentence earlier this month. This recent conviction and subsequent ban aim to deter Ali from reoffending and safeguard the City of London’s businesses from his criminal activities.