A PERSISTENT shoplifter has been banned from every shop in Accrington town centre.

Blackburn magistrates heard John Crabtree’s life was a cycle of offending, going to prison, offending and going back to prison.

The court was told imposing a criminal behaviour order would up the stakes.

Crabtree, 65, of Nuttall Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to theft of coffee from Poundstretcher and cheese from Fulton Foods.

He was sentenced to 28 days in prison, suspended for 12 months, and made subject to a criminal behaviour order for two years.

The order means he is banned from entering any shops in an area stretching across Accrington town centre including Asda, Tesco and Eastgate Retail Park.

He was also ordered to pay £115 victim surcharge, £85 costs and £30 compensation.

The court was told the offences pre-dated Crabtree’s latest prison sentence of 63 days from which he was released on May 10.

He had been convicted of 16 offences of shoplifting already this year and the chairman of the magistrates described his previous history as “absolutely appalling.”

After he was issued with the order Hyndburn Police hit out at the impact shoplifters like Crabtree have on the area.

A statement from a police spokesman on Facebook said: “There are a number of regular shoplifters who target the town centre and whose activities have a huge impact on local businesses, many of which are small and are simply trying to make an honest living.

“We are determined to keep Accrington safe for both shoppers and businesses alike and will use all the powers that are available to us to target prolific shoplifting offenders like Crabtree.

“We’d urge anyone who sees him in any shop within the exclusion zone to call 101 so that we can take action."