A THIEF has been banned from all town centre shops under a two-year anti-social behaviour order.

Police said Samantha Jane Nerney had been a “persistent” offender in Burnley and often aggressive to shoppers and shop staff.

She is now banned from every shop in the town centre, including Charter Walk shopping centre and TK Maxx in Burnley.

Burnley town centre Sergeant Louise Darcy said: “Nerney has not only been a persistent offender in the town centre, she has also been anti-social and at times, aggressive towards people working in the centre.

“We are pleased to have secured the ASBO which will restrict her activity significantly and ensure that if she does take a wrong step and breach any of her conditions, she can be arrested and potentially imprisoned.

“We are currently cracking down on town centre crime and hope this police action sends a clear message to other offenders, particularly in the run up to the busy pre-Christmas trading period.”

Burnley Magistrates heard that Nerney racially abused a shop security guard during a recent incidnet in the town The defendant, of Reed Street, Burnley, was given a 12 month conditional discharge by the bench, who said they had to punish her and protect the public. She must also pay £50 costs.

Bench chairman Graham Jagger said they were making the ASBO because the defendant had acted in a manner which caused, or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.