Perfume thief banned from every John Lewis store in England

A serial shoplifter who stole perfume worth thousands before dodging police for more than a year has been banned from every John Lewis store in England and Wales.

Agita Cica was first arrested in August 2024 after staff spotted her trying to walk out of the chain’s branch in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, with a haul of designer fragrances.

The 27-year-old was due to appear at Stockport Magistrates’ Court two months later but instead went on the run by repeatedly changing her address until finally surrendering to Northumbria Police in November 2025.

Cica pleaded guilty at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court to four counts of theft of goods worth more than £2,400 over a three-month period.

She was handed a criminal behaviour order which bans her from the stores for 12 months.

“Cica’s offending was not opportunistic – it was deliberate, organised and persistent,” Greater Manchester Police said.

“Shoplifting is far from a victimless crime.

“It places significant financial pressure on retailers, affects staff safety, and contributes to higher prices for honest shoppers.”