A SOUTHAMPTON man has been banned from stores across the city centre following a spate of shoplifting offences.

Henok Beyene, 36, from Southampton Street, Southampton, appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, January 26, to be sentenced for one count of burglary at Vodka Revolutions and three shoplifting offences at Boots in Above Bar Street.

On October 22 last year he entered Vodka Revolution and stole alcohol worth £120.

On November 9, he stole an electric beard trimmer, to the value of £79, belonging to Boots.

The on November 18, he stole razor blades and three gift sets, to the value of £389, belonging to Boots.

Beyene was sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 24 months. He was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and to pay compensation to Boots and Vodka Revolutions.

Hampshire Constabulary also successfully applied for a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) to be placed on him for two years, until January 26, 2024.

His conditions are not to enter Boots in Above Bar Street and Sainsbury’s in Bedford Place.

PCSO Jack Kemp said: “Thanks to the hard work of the Integrated Offender Management Team, the City Centre Team and Western Investigations, we were able to get Beyene to court in relation to these offences.

“We felt it necessary to apply for this order given the impact he has had on businesses in the city centre, so we hope this sends a clear message to them that we will do all in our power to reduce shoplifting.

“While Beyene’s sentence is suspended, this means that if he is to do anything like this again, he will go straight to prison for these offences – and could also be handed another longer sentence for breaching his CBO if this takes place in the shops covered by the order.

“It also grants us extra powers which will help us to protect the community against him if he chooses to continue offending.

“We hope this shows you how hard we are working to improve the city centre for all visitors and residents.

“Please continue to report shoplifting offences or antisocial behaviour to us by calling 101 or going online. Every report helps strengthen our case when applying for Criminal Behaviour Orders.”