A prolific Exmouth shoplifter has been jailed and banned from the town for three years after clocking up multiple crimes, including pocketing a vulnerable pensioner’s savings and pinching a tip jar from a café after he was gifted a free breakfast.
Cyril David, pictured here, was charged with theft, fraud and multiple shoplifting offences. He was jailed for 46 weeks and slapped with a Criminal Behaviour Order, banning him from entering Exmouth for the next three years.
Police said in September 2025 David stole a bank card from a vulnerable 71-year-old man, pocketing and spending £1,400 of the pensioner’s savings.
He stole a café tip jar after eating a free breakfast, telling he owner he was homeless. And during a shoplifting spree he pocketed joints of meat, lifted trays of Easter eggs, stole cosmetics, stationary sets and magazines.
Cyril David was charged with multiple shoplifting offences, theft and fraud. Photo: D&C Police.
Police said David’s offending took him into Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton to carry out his shoplifting sprees.
Police Constable Dave Pilling, from Exmouth neighbourhood policing team, said: “This order sends a clear message that persistent offending will not be tolerated in our communities.
“Shop theft has a real impact on businesses, staff, and customers, and we will continue to work with retailers and partners to take firm action against those responsible.”
He added: “The case forms part of ongoing efforts by police and partners to tackle retail crime, support victims, and make town centres safer for everyone.”
Police said the three-year Criminal Behaviour Order prohibits David from entering the whole of Exmouth town.
If he is caught ignoring the ban, and breaches of the Criminal Behaviour Order, he could be arrested, prosecuted, and jailed.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: “Cyril David was issued a Criminal Behaviour Order after being charged for a several offences including theft from a person, fraud and multiple shopliftings.
“In September 2025 Mr David took a bank card from a vulnerable 71-year-old man and went on to spend £1,400 of the man’s savings.
“Whilst homeless Mr David approached a local café owner and after receiving a free breakfast, he went on to steal the café’s tip jar.
“He has also been responsible for multiple shoplifting offences across Exmouth. During this spree of shopliftings Mr David took items such as magazines and stationary sets, trays of Easter eggs, cosmetic goods and joints of meat. “
The spokesman added: “The three-year Criminal Behaviour Order prohibits Mr David from entering a defined area, in this case the entirety of Exmouth town.
“Breaches of the Criminal Behaviour Order are a criminal offence and can result in arrest, further prosecution, and potential imprisonment.”
