A MAN has been handed a ten-year anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) banning him from entering major stores.

David Fletcher, 46, of Berberis Way, Newburn, Newcastle, has been banned from entering any Tesco, B&Q, Safeway, Sainsbury, Morrisons, Somerfield, Matalan and North-Eastern Co-op in England and Wales.

Fletcher would go into shops and act in an intimidating and aggressive manner.

While staff were distracted by his behaviour, a team of people would steal goods, spirits being a particular target.

The order was secured by the North-East Retail Crime Partnership in what is believed to be the first of its kind for a retail crime unit.

Pc Ian Smith, of Northumbria Police, said: "The stores affected came to us individually and it is nice to see justice done for them. We have now got a test case to deal with any similar offenders in the future."

The Asbo, which was secured at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on January 27, also prohibits Fletcher contacting, interfering with or threatening any employee of these stores.