Man jailed for entering car parks

Police officers said Thomson's car crime record is "appalling"

A thief banned from entering every car park in Nottingham city centre after breaking into a string of vehicles has been jailed for ignoring the order.

James Thomson, 26, was handed the ban, in force until April 2011, under an antisocial behaviour order last year.

But when police studied CCTV footage they found he had breached the ban and committed more car-related crimes.

Thomson, of West Walk, Nottingham, has now been sentenced to 16 months in jail at Nottingham Crown Court.

Christmas shoppers 'safer'

As well as breaching the order, he was also charged with one count of stealing a satellite navigation system from a vehicle, four counts of vehicle interference and one of assaulting a police officer.

He also faced other charges of using threatening words or behaviour and attempted theft.

City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Andy Townsend said: "Thomson has an appalling record of car crime, but police diligence has ensured that he won't be out on the streets at what will be the busiest time of the year for Nottingham - the build up to Christmas.

"Thousands of visitors and shoppers will be flocking to the city over the coming months and we want to ensure their experience is safe and enjoyable. That's why we are determined to keep offenders like Thomson as far as we can from cars and car parks."