Man is given 10-year stores ban

David Fletcher has been banned from many stores for 10 years

A Tyneside man has been banned from many of the biggest-name high street stores in England and Wales.

David Fletcher, from Newburn in Newcastle, was served with a 10-year anti-social behaviour order (Asbo).

The order prevents him from entering any branches of Tesco, Safeway, Sainsbury, B&Q, Morrisons, Somerfield, Matalan or North Eastern Co-op.

The ban follows a spate of incidents in which Fletcher distracted staff while goods were stolen.

The Asbo also prohibits him from contacting, interfering with, or threatening any of the store staff.

'Strong message'

While staff were distracted by his behaviour, a team of people would steal goods, with spirits being a particular target.

Anne Tate, chief executive of the North East Retail Crime Partnership, said: "After two years of work collating information and witness statements from member stores, this is a tremendous result.

"We aim to send out a strong message that we will not tolerate shop theft in this region and this Asbo does just that."

Pc Ian Smith, from Northumbria Police, said: "This Asbo has no geographic area and covers the whole of England and Wales, preventing him from entering any of the shops listed.

"We believe this is the first of its kind for a retail crime unit."