A prolific shoplifter has been banned from every Aldi, Co-op and Superdrug in Kent.

Christopher Lamb, from Faversham, was also jailed for three months after pleading guilty to eight counts of theft.

The 42-year-old is also banned from entering any retail premises while carrying a bag, loitering outside any shop or cashpoint and must leave a shop if asked to do so.

He was sentenced at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on February 29 and will be subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order for three years.

Lamb, who lives in Love Lane, is banned from entering any Aldi, Co-op or Superdrug store in Kent during that period.

Further conditions prevent him from approaching any member of the public and asking for money or charitable donations.

Officers from Kent Police’s Strategic Prevention Command applied for the CBO following the series of thefts in Sittingbourne between February and June last year.

PC Jamie Spencer said: “Shoplifting is not only a crime that affects retailers but can also have a detrimental impact on local communities as businesses put up their prices to compensate for their losses.

“Kent Police is determined to tackle this type of crime and I am pleased that Lamb has been handed both a custodial sentence and a CBO that will prevent his opportunity to re-offend on his release.

“If he breaches any of the conditions he will be immediately brought back before the court to answer for his actions.”