A PROLIFIC offender has been banned from shops across Runcorn following a spate of crimes.

Lee McDonald, 41, of Halton Lodge Avenue, Runcorn, has been given a Criminal Behaviour Order to curb his criminality.

The order was imposed on Lee McDonald at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, July 3, following persistent offending in Runcorn.

The offences relate to causing harassment, alarm and distress to numerous store workers in the town and other forms of anti-social behaviour.

Despite the best efforts of police and Halton Borough Council workers, McDonald showed no signs of changing his behaviour.

As a result, police took the next step to tackle his criminality and protect members of the community by collating enough evidence to obtain the order.

Running for two years, the order contains numerous strict conditions that McDonald must adhere to.

It bans him from entering stores in Murdishaw, Windmill Hill, Balfour Street, Granville Street, Halton Road, Grangeway, Palacefields, Bridgewater Grange, Preston Brook and Castlefields.

The order also prohibits him from entering a garage in Thomas Jones Way and states that he can only go to Runcorn Shopping City or Trident Retail and Leisure Park to attend pre-arranged written appointments.

When in a store, under the conditions of the order McDonald cannot place any item within a carrier bag, rucksack or anything else capable of concealing items prior to payment being made.

And he must leave the store immediately if requested to do so by a staff member.

PC Andy Maskall, of Runcorn Local Policing Unit, said: “McDonald has repeatedly targeted stores with criminal and anti-social behaviour, with many store workers being subjected to face-to-face confrontation which has caused them considerable harassment, alarm and distress.

“The aim of the Criminal Behaviour Order is to protect members of the public from McDonald’s persistent behaviour and deter his offending.

“I hope the order gives McDonald the boundaries he needs to improve his behaviour.

“I also hope it sends a strong message that we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour in Runcorn and that, working closely with our partners, we will take robust action against those who persistently cause trouble and commit crime in the town.”