A shoplifter has been banned from a string of stores.

Linton Woolley was handed a criminal behaviour order to curb his stealing following six incidents in Worthing.

The order means he must not remain on any retail premises in Sussex if he is asked to leave, enter any Tesco store in West Sussex, enter any Co-op store in Sussex or a number of other named stores in Worthing.

Woolley’s sentencing follows a spate of shoplifting between April 2 and April 30.

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He went into the Co-op in Manor Parade on five occasions between April 2 and 24 and stole items worth hundreds of pounds.

He then stole three bottles of alcohol from B&M in the Guildbourne Centre on April 30.

The 36-year-old, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to all six offences.

He was sentenced  at Crawley Magistrates’ Court to 18 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months and given a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order.

Sergeant Craig Burgess said: “This conviction brings peace of mind to the stores he affected who should not have to deal with this behaviour when working.

“Retail crime is a priority for Sussex Police and we will continue to put offenders before the courts.”