Serial thief jailed in Peterborough
Slaney was sentenced tow 5 counts of theft and breaching a court order
Last updated 18th Jul 2025
A prolific shoplifter with a particular craving for Red Bull energy drinks has been jailed after repeatedly breaching a court order and stealing nearly £100 worth of goods in a series of thefts across Peterborough.
Russell Slaney, 50, of Central Park Close, Eastfield, was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on (Tuesday 15 July) after admitting to five counts of theft and two breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).
Slaney’s most recent spree began on the morning of 11 June, when he entered Budgens at the Valley Park Centre in Woodston. He was caught on CCTV hiding cans of Red Bull, cellotape, dairy products, and wine in his clothing before leaving the store.
Minutes later, he returned to steal more cans, additional wine, and a ready meal.
On 12 June, Slaney returned to Budgens to steal more Red Bull, before cycling to the Co-op on Oundle Road—despite being banned from all Co-op stores in Peterborough under a CBO issued in April last year.
He again helped himself to cans of Red Bull and bottles of wine without paying.
His thefts continued on 26 June, when he entered the Co-op in Werrington, stealing wine and other groceries.
Slaney’s pattern of behaviour breached the conditions of his criminal behaviour order, which explicitly barred him from entering any Co-op in the city for two years.
PC Sam Malton, from Cambridgeshire Police, said: “Slaney was fully aware of the conditions of his criminal behaviour order, but he simply chose to ignore it and continue to steal.
"Thefts like these can have significant financial impacts on businesses. They can also affect staff who find themselves having to deal with those determined to steal.”