A prolific shoplifter has been banned from three supermarkets and a discount store following a persistent spate of stealing.

Nina Roach, 36, has been ordered by magistrates to stay out of Sainsbury’s Local, Aldi, Tesco Metro and Poundland in Canterbury.

It follows her appearance at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court, where a three-year criminal behaviour order was imposed following an application by Kent Police.

Roach, of Whitstable Road, Canterbury, who has numerous previous convictions for theft, pleaded guilty to stealing alcohol from two shops in the city and was ordered to pay £93 compensation.

She was also banned from entering the Sainsbury’s Local in St Dunstan’s Street, Aldi in St Andrew’s Close, Tesco Metro in Gravel Walk and Poundland in St George’s Street.

Roach was told that should she breach the order, she risks being arrested and sent to prison.

After the hearing last Wednesday, Police Sgt Daniel Bartlett, of Kent Police’s Antisocial Behaviour Team, said: ‘Nina Roach is sadly well known by local businesses owners for the thefts she has committed and appears unwilling to change her ways.

“A criminal behaviour order is only ever issued as a last resort and when we can demonstrate to a court that a person’s actions are having a detrimental impact on local people, which is most certainly the case in this instance.

“Tackling shoplifting is a priority for Kent Police and we do not hesitate to take strong action against offenders like Roach whose crimes cause great hardship for local business owners.”