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JAILED | A prolific offender has been jailed for 12 months for breaking into vehicles and going on spending sprees with stolen bank cards.
Michael Ainsworth, 34, of no fixed abode, Falmouth, was sentenced at Truro Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 21 May after pleading guilty to a total of 24 offences following work by Falmouth Neighbourhood team and the Neighbourhood Support team.
The court heard how on numerous occasions in the Falmouth area, Ainsworth interfered with vehicles and used bank cards stolen from within some of them.
At the sentencing hearing, magistrates varied an existing Criminal Behaviour Order previously issued to Ainsworth.
The order – that now includes a town centre exclusion ban – prevents Ainsworth from:
1 Entering or attempting to enter any vehicle without the express consent of the registered keeper/owner or unless this is a taxi or a form of public transport or a form of emergency service vehicle.
2. Being in possession of any bank cards in the name of another person without their permission.
3. Attending any Cash Generator/Cash broker store to sell goods.
4. Entering Falmouth Town
Ainsworth was jailed back in January after being convicted of a sustained pattern of criminal activity involving vehicle theft, vehicle interference and other theft-related offences.
Ainsworth committed these offences across Falmouth, targeting parked vehicles and exploiting opportunities where security measures were limited. The offending caused significant disruption and financial loss to victims and generated concern within the local community.
Neighbourhood Team Leader Sergeant Chris Vincent said: “We welcome the sentence given to Michael Ainsworth who has continued to offend time and time again despite previous sentences and court orders.
“Ainsworth will spend a period of time behind bars, and when he is released he will be subject of a CBO designed to prevent him from offending in the future.
“Any breach of a CBO is a criminal offence and will likely result in the offender being sentenced again.
“We are pleased that Ainsworth has been prevented from entering Falmouth, a town whose residents have suffered at his hands for far too long.”
To reduce the risk of vehicle theft or interference:
o Always lock your vehicle, even if leaving it for a short time
o Remove keys from the ignition and never leave spare keys inside the car
o Close windows and sunroofs fully
o Do not leave valuables on display - remove bags, coats, tools and electronics
o Park in well-lit, busy areas or use a garage where possible
o Use additional security such as steering wheel locks, immobilisers or tracking devices
o Keep keys secure at home, away from doors and windows; consider a Faraday pouch for keyless vehicles
o Report damaged locks or suspicious tampering immediately
Members of the public can report information or suspicious activity in the following ways:
• Emergency (crime in progress or immediate danger): Call 999
• Non-emergency police matters: Call 101 or report online via your local police force website
• Anonymous reporting: Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or report anonymously online (no personal details required)
We encourage anyone with information relating to vehicle crime to come forward—every report helps keep communities safe. | 
