A 41 year old Stroud man who admitted four shoplifting offences has been banned from entering Waitrose, Boots or the Co-op in the town for the next year.

Fox Johnston of Target Close pleaded guilty at Cheltenham Magistrates Court to stealing £25 worth of cosmetics from Boots in the High Street on January 17, 2023; £64 worth of meat from the Co-op in Slad Road on February 1; £162 worth of meat, cheese and ice cream from the same store on February 12 and alcohol and meat valued at £73.78 from Waitrose, London Road, on February 22.

The court sentenced him to a 12-month community order with a prohibited activity requirement which bans him from entering the three stores for 12 months ending on October 1, 2024. A rehabilitation activity requirement was also imposed, and he was ordered to pay compensation totalling £277.50.

A prosecution application for him to be made subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order was refused by the magistrates on the grounds that it was "not proportionate taking account of offending and the Community Order made with Prohibited Activity requirement."

Johnston also admitted failing to answer his bail at a previous hearing of his case in August. The magistrates did not impose any extra penalty for the offence.