SENTENCED | Prolific and Violent Shoplifter Banned from Weymouth Town Centre
A prolific and violent shoplifter has been jailed and banned from Weymouth town centre following sustained offending that caused significant harm to local businesses and the wider community.
James Mark Alexander Robins, aged 29 and of no fixed abode, appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 21 January 2026, where he was sentenced for a total of 20 shoplifting offences, as well as assaulting an emergency worker and a separate assault on a member of shop staff.
Pattern of Persistent and Violent Offending
Robins’ offences included repeated thefts from shops in Weymouth town centre, notably at the Marks and Spencer store in St Mary Street. On one occasion, on Thursday 23 October 2025, Robins assaulted a police officer by headbutting them when they attended an incident at the store.
Police described Robins as a persistent offender whose criminal behaviour escalated beyond theft into violence, creating fear and disruption for retail workers and customers alike.
Prison Sentence and Seven-Year Ban
For his offences, Robins was sentenced to 36 weeks’ imprisonment.
In addition, following detailed submissions from Weymouth neighbourhood officers outlining the long-term impact of his behaviour, the court imposed a community behaviour order lasting seven years.
The order places strict restrictions on Robins, including:
A ban from entering Weymouth town centre, as defined by a specified exclusion zone
A prohibition on being intoxicated through alcohol or drugs in any public place
A ban on entering any premises from which he has already been formally banned in writing
A requirement to engage with the REACH drug and alcohol service until formally discharged
The order is designed to protect local businesses, reduce reoffending, and give police stronger enforcement powers.
Police Statement
Neighbourhood Inspector Sam Goom said:
“James Robins is a persistent offender whose shoplifting and related violence has caused a blight on businesses as well as those living and working in Weymouth town centre.
“His targeted offending has persecuted local shops for a prolonged period and he has shown little regard for the impact of these crimes on the individuals who work in these stores. Weymouth Neighbourhood Policing Team have been targeting him for some time in collaboration with the retailers and partners.
“We have worked tirelessly to compile evidence to bring Robins before the court and secure restrictions that provide protection to local businesses and give us additional powers to both deter and respond robustly to future offending. I would like to thank those in the retail community of Weymouth who have provided us with the evidence to achieve this order.
“If Robins is found in breach of any of the terms of his order, he is liable to be arrested and brought back before the court. We would urge anyone who has information regarding any breaches to please report it to us.”
Reporting Breaches
Anyone with information relating to potential breaches of the community behaviour order can contact Dorset Police online or by calling 101. If a crime is in progress, members of the public should call 999 immediately.
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers, either online or by calling 0800 555 111.
Police say the sentence and long-term order send a clear message that persistent retail crime and violence will not be tolerated in Weymouth.
