A PERSISTENT car thief has been given a Criminal Behaviour Order to curb his behaviour.

Michael Jason Foster, 42, of Hudson Road, Sunderland, is now the subject of a three-year order after it was imposed by South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Foster, who was most recently convicted of car theft in November, is banned from entering Ashbrooke, Southwick or Roker.

He is also not permitted to be in a public place in the company of two named individuals.

In the first of its kind to be handed out in Sunderland, the order comes with an added positive behavioural requirement which compels him to engage with a drug rehabilitation or detox programme organised by Wear Recovery, the city’s drug and alcohol service.

Inspector Don Wade, of Northumbria Police, said: “Foster’s offending has been frequent and widespread, taking up a great deal of police time and resources.

“This order will provide the police and courts with greater powers to deal with Foster more effectively.”