A Cirencester man has been jailed for eight weeks and banned from entering shops in the town after pleading guilty to three thefts.

John Goscombe (pictured) from Bowly Road, emptied a charity box from sheltered housing in Mulberry Court, Middle Mead, stole gold and silver sample wedding rings from Walter Bull & Son jewellery shop in Dyer Street and shoplifted £140 worth of Adidas t-shirts from Sports Direct in Bridge Road, in separate incidents between September and October this year. A further theft was taken into consideration.

Goscombe received three eight-week sentences for the thefts, to run concurrently.

He appeared via video link from prison at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court earlier this week, having returned to custody for breaching the conditions of his licence, following early release for previous offences

The continuation of his previous sentence, along with the new eight week term, should result in Goscombe being in prison over Christmas.

Police successfully applied for a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), which means that when he leaves prison Goscombe will be barred from entering any retail premises in Cirencester for three years.

The only exceptions will be a pharmacy and Tesco Express in Chesterton. He is also not to enter Mulberry Court in Middle Mead without the permission of staff.

Cirencester PC Liddle-Peters said: "I believe this is a really good result for residents and businesses in Cirencester. If Mr Goscombe even enters a premises in breach of the order he commits an offence that could result in his arrest and a sentence of up to five years imprisonment. It is my hope that obtaining this order will have a significant impact in reducing his propensity to offend."