A prolific shoplifter has been banned from all Tesco and Co-op stores in Dorset for two years.
David John Lawrence, aged 42, avoided going behind bars for his spate of thefts committed across the first half of the year.
Lawrence was sentenced for 11 counts of shoplifting and made subject to a criminal behaviour order at Poole Magistrates’ Court.
The order, which came from a Dorset Police application, included a series of prohibitions.
Alongside a two-year ban from Tesco and Co-op shops in the county, Lawrence must not enter Lansdowne Lane in Bournemouth and he must not remain in any shop, commercial or probation offices if asked to leave by a member of staff, security or anyone else.
A spokesperson for the Bournemouth South Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “David John Lawrence is a persistent shoplifter who regularly targets the same premises and is abusive toward staff who attempt to challenge his offending behaviour.
“We recognise the impact this repeated criminality has on the stores that are targeted and we are keen to work with businesses in our community to take proactive action to put a stop to this.
“We have been compiling evidence to put before the court, which has resulted in securing the criminal behaviour order for Lawrence. We hope this will support the businesses that he has targeted and give us additional powers to tackle his offending.
“We would urge anyone who is aware of Lawrence breaching the terms of the order to please report it to police.”
Police forces can apply for criminal behaviour orders to tackle persistent offenders. The court sanction replaced the anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) and drinking banning order.
Lawrence pleaded guilty to all 11 offences of theft, which took place between January 6 and June 9.
In total, he stole £187.35 of goods, mostly alcohol, from Co-op stores in Madeira Road and Holdenhurst Road in Bournemouth.
The defendant, whose address was given as Purbeck Road, Bournemouth, was committed to prison for six weeks, suspended for 18 months, at the court hearing on Friday, June 16.
He was ordered to pay the full value of stolen goods back in compensation to Co-op.
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