A PROLIFIC thief has been sent back to prison after breaching an order which banned him from entering shops in Barrow town centre.

Back in August Ian Riddick was one of two people sentenced to a term behind bars following a string of persistent offending.

The 39-year, now of no fixed abode but previously of Broad Close, Barrow, received a 35 week custodial sentence.

He was also slapped with a Criminal Behaviour Order which banned him from going into Tesco on Rawlinson Street; TK Maxx on Hollywood Park; Debenhams on Portland Walk; Heron Foods; JD Sports and The Co-Op on Oxford Street.

The order was applied for by Barrow Police’s Problem Solving Team, and was the result of many hours of hard work and partnership working with these local businesses.

But Riddick was back before the courts this week.

Appearing at South Cumbria Magistrates Court, Riddick admitted stealing a pair of trousers worth £70 from JD Sports.

The court heard the incident happened on November 1.

He also admitted breaching the order and magistrates jailed him for 56 days.

Magistrates said the offence was so serious because it was aggravated by the defendant’s record of previous offending.

He was also told to pay £70 costs.

Before imposing an order the court must be satisfied that the offender has engaged in such behaviour causing harassment/distress and that making the order will encourage the offender to stop said behaviour.

A spokesman for the police said in August when it was first handed out: “Criminal Behaviour Orders are valuable tools to both ourselves and the courts to help curtail this type of offending, for those who persistently commit crimes.

“It is my hope that the terms of these orders will help give some well-deserved respite to our local businesses.

“We would urge the people of Barrow to assist us and the courts in enforcing these orders.

“Breaking the terms of a Criminal Behaviour Order could result in a prison sentence of up to five years in prison.”