A SHOPLIFTER who stole 14 blocks of cheese, 17 cans of Red Bull and eight packets of cheese sauce mix has been banned from entering any Co-op, Aldi or One Stop branch in Gloucestershire.

Nathan King, 42, of Elmgrove Road in Hardwicke, was sentenced to ten weeks in prison suspended for 12 months for his latest series of offences in Stonehouse, Quedgeley and Gloucester.

King appeared at Gloucester Crown Court on January 22, where he pleaded guilty to five counts of shoplifting.

He was also issued with a three year Criminal Behaviour Order which prevents him going into any petrol station shop unless he is paying for fuel.

If King is found to be in breach of the order he faces a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment.

The defendant was also ordered to undertake drug rehabilitation treatment and to pay compensation of £274.

King's latest shoplifting spree began on December 22 when he stole chocolate and chewing gum worth £122 from the Co-Op in Stonehouse.

Then on December 29, he stole wine to the value of £16.47 worth of wine from Warner’s Budgen store in Quedgeley

On January 5, he stole 14 blocks of cheese, worth £58 from a One Stop in Gloucester.

Then on January 12 when he stole £40 worth of cheese from the same One Stop in Gloucester.Four days later he went to Family Shopper in Stonehouse where he took 17 cans of Red Bull and eight packets of cheese sauce mix, worth £37.83.

King was arrested by officers on Tuesday, January 21 before being charged with the offences.

PC Plant from Gloucester City Neighbourhood Policing Team said “Retail theft is a serious issue for us in Gloucestershire and we want businesses and their employees to be able to carry out their trading without fear of loss.

"We also want to make Gloucester City Centre and its neighbouring areas a safer place for all."

King is a prolific shoplifter with over 100 previous convictions.