A JUDGE has refused to ban a serial shoplifter and troublemaker from Gravesend town centre after saying he found such an order “fantastic”.

Prosecutors applied to have Andrew Reader, 36, of Queens' Road, Gravesend, banned from the St George's and Thamesgate shopping centres for five years for intimidating and harrassing shop staff.

Reader’s lawyer had agreed to the application at Maidstone Crown Court for the ban to be imposed under an Anti-Social Behaviour Order, along with another ban preventing him from carrying sharp tools in public.

John Keal, prosecuting, said Reader’s lengthy convictions showed him to be a prolific offender for about 20 years.

The judge refused to ban him from the shops but did agree to impose an ASBO banning him from carrying a chisel or screwdriver in public for three years.

“You see, I have no experience of ASBOs,” said Judge Joy. “If he is shoplifting, he can be prosecuted for it. I find it fantastic he can be prevented from going to his local shops.”

Mr Keal said there was nothing unusual about such orders and agreed that Reader was likely to be inconvenienced.

But the judge insisted: “I find it distasteful and have done from the beginning.