A persistent Epsom shoplifter will be behind bars for the next few months after appearing in court last week. 

Darren Beckett, 34, of Miles Road, was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison after being convicted of shoplifting and for being in breach of his Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).

Epsom Safer Neighbourhood Team Sergeant Tom Arthur said: "Beckett has blatantly flouted the conditions of his CBO, as well as being caught shoplifting once again.

"The prison sentence given to him shows that his offending will not be tolerated and reassures the public that we are taking positive action against him to protect the whole community, particularly local businesses."

Beckett was given a CBO banning him from shops across the county for three years when he appeared at Staines Magistrates' Court in February 2018.

The CBO was issued due to his persistent criminal behaviour and the blatant disregard to banning letters issued by the shops to try and curb his offending.

The order is in place until February 8, 2021. The order bans Beckett from entering a number of shops in Surrey, including Sainsbury's, Marks and Spencer, Cooperative Retail Services, Boots, Lloyds Pharmacy, TK Maxx, Cost Cutter and BP service stations.

In Epsom he is not allowed to enter Pound Lane Convenience Store, Epsom News Agency, Waterloo Road, Epsom, Epsom Bathroom Centre, Sainsbury's in Kiln Lane and East Epsom.