A serial shoplifter has been banned from four shops in Colchester.

Daniel Bannerman committed 28 offences in the space of four weeks between March and April this year.

He stole goods worth £1,777 from four Co-op stores in West Bergholt, Colchester, Wivenhoe and Stanway and two One Stop shops in Colchester and Wivenhoe.

Bannerman, 29, of Southway, Colchester, admitted 26 thefts, one attempted theft and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on April 23.

He was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday June 22 to an eight month jail term, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work, as well as drugs rehabilitation.

Read more >> Shoplifter banned from every Co-op in Essex terrorised staff with crime spree

The judge also issued a five year criminal behaviour order, which bans Bannerman from the Co-Op stores in Wimpole Road and Old Heath Road, Colchester, The Avenue in Wivenhoe, and Peartree Road in Stanway.

PC Alex Plakhtienko said: “The court heard Bannerman had stolen items to fund his drugs habit.

"The sentence issued by the court will not only protect shops against him, but also give him the opportunity to receive help to address the reasons for his offending.

“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime because it has a big impact on businesses, and ultimately customers.

“Our Business Crime Team is working closely with retailers and hospitality businesses to protect them from prolific offenders, and I’d encourage any business owner who has been a victim of crime to please tell us so we can investigate.”

A spokesman for The East of England Co-op said: “In partnership with Essex Police we have worked hard to detain this individual and prepare the necessary investigation.

“Our long standing and effective partnership with Essex Police, especially the Business Crime Team, continues to allow us to protect our colleagues and stores, with outcomes for those committing offences being notable.”