A SERIAL shoplifter has been banned from entering all shops in Wrexham city centre.

Paul Loose, of Westminster Hotel, Chester, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Monday, November 18, where he admitted a charge of theft.

Despite being banned from Farmfoods on Whitegate Road following previous incidents of shoplifting, Loose went into to the store on Sunday, October 20, and stole over £20 worth of coffee.

The court banned him from entering any retail store in the city centre for a year and ordered him to repay Farmfoods the value of the stolen items.

He was also handed a community order, meaning he must undergo six months drug rehabilitation and 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

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Wrexham City Sergeant Sarah Hughes-Jones said: “I welcome this sentence that will prevent stores in our city from further incidents by Loose, who is a prolific shoplifter.

“As part of Operation Blizzard, we are working with local businesses and partner organisations across the city every day to crack down on retail crime in the run up to Christmas.

“It aims to tackle habitual and repeat perpetrators, ensuring we protect staff, customers and businesses from this type of criminality.

“We will continue to support retailers and robustly deal with offenders by bringing them before the courts.”