A REPEAT Carlisle shoplifter has been banned from virtually every major store in the city for the next five years.

The recent theft convictions chalked up by 26-year-old Stewart Brown include him stealing champagne worth £300 from Brampton Co-op and 'numerous' goods from the Carlisle Scotch Street branch of Poundland.

The defendant, of Eskdale Avenue, Carlisle, had denied the latter offence but was convicted in his absence at the city’s Rickergate court.

After hearing the details of the Poundland offence, which Brown committed on October 21, magistrates approved the criminal behaviour order, accepting that this was proportionate given the impact of the offending.

The court order also includes all local shops which belong to Retailers Against Crime as well as The Range on Currock Road, Carlisle, McColls on Blackwell Road, and the Warwick Road branch of Tesco.

In December last year, Brown was fined for stealing Christmas decorations and candles, together worth £186, from the city's B&Q store in London Road.