A PERSISTENT thief has been jailed to 12 months in prison for breaching a criminal behaviour order (CBO) multiple times in Reading.

Michael Boxall, 33, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at Reading Crown Court on 21 May to 11 breaches of his CBO by begging, one count of theft and two counts of failing to surrender.

The incidents took place between November 2019 and April 2019 in Woodley and Winnersh.

Boxall also admitted to one count of theft which happened in December 2018, when he stole a Royal Society for the Protection of Birds charity box, which contained around £20 from a Costa Coffee shop in Woodley.

The offender was initially sentenced to a four year CBO in December 2017, which will continue upon his release from prison.

Investigating officer PC Tracy Mills, of the Problem Solving Team based at Loddon Valley police station, said: “Boxall has persistently flouted the terms of his Criminal Behaviour Order, showing a disregard to the measures put in place.

“This has been a persistent issue in both Woodley and Winnersh, would could not have been resolved without the help of its residents.

“I am pleased that the courts have seen fit to sentence Boxall to a period of imprisonment, and upon his release, his Criminal Behaviour Order will be extended to include the area of Reading Borough and Bracknell Forest.”