A NOTORIOUS shoplifter has been handed a Dudley borough-wide ban from several major supermarkets.

Richard Lawley, aged 33, was jailed for 40 weeks by Dudley magistrates on January 3 for a thieving spree in Brierley Hill and Lye.

Magistrates also served him with a Criminal Anti-Social Behaviour Order (CRASBO) which prohibits him from entering any Spar, Boots and Co-operative stores in Dudley borough for the next two years.

Under the terms of the order, Lawley, of no fixed abode, must also immediately leave shops if requested to do so by staff or security officers.

Pc Lydia Howard, of Dudley's offender management team, said: "Lawley is now in prison serving his sentence, but as soon as he is released his CRASBO order will be in place and the restrictions prohibiting him entering the stores will be implemented.

"The local neighbourhood policing teams will be on the look out for Lawley and, should he try ignoring the bans to his CRASBO, he'll be arrested and put before the court and face further punishment.

"Leaflets featuring his image will also be distributed locally making every one aware of his CRASBO and I'd encourage anyone who spots Lawley doing anything he shouldn't be to contact Dudley police."