Shoplifter banned from Dorset Boots, Co-op and Tesco stores

John Raymond O’Hear, aged 33, has also been told he must not enter any retail premises in a specified area of Bournemouth.

The restrictions have been imposed by the courts following an application from Dorset Police for a criminal behaviour order to be in place.

This order was sought by the force after the defendant, whose address was given as Alexandra Road, Bournemouth, was convicted of two offences of theft in March.

The bench made the criminal behaviour order when O'Hear was in the dock at Poole Magistrates’ Court on June 30.

It will remain in force for two years and if the defendant is found to breach it he could end up back before the courts.

John Raymond O'Hear, aged 33 and of Alexandra Road, Bournemouth

Police Constable Fran Cullis, of the Bournemouth South Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We recognise the impact repeat offending has on retail premises and will do all we can to prevent individuals such as John O’Hear from targeting members of our business communities.

“Officers have worked to compile evidence in order to secure this criminal behaviour order, which we hope will put a stop to his future offending.

“I also hope this case will serve as a warning to other repeat offenders that we will seek to use the powers available to us to take positive action to tackle this kind of behaviour.”

As reported, O’Hear’s theft offences which he pleaded guilty to via live link from HMP Portland back in March were committed at Boots in Commercial Road.

The criminal behaviour order was issed at a Poole Magistrates' Court hearing (Image: PA)

On December 14 last year he stole candles worth a total of £96.95. Fourteen days later he stole gifts sets to the value of £102.

He had been committed to prison for a total of 52 weeks by District Judge Stephen Nicholls in January after he pleaded guilty to four counts of theft, one charge of possessing diamorphine and an offence of intentional harassment, alarm or distress.

Criminal behaviour orders have been available to the courts to make on conviction of an offence since 2014 under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. They replaced the anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) and drinking banning order (DBO).