A serial shoplifter who stole booze, cosmetics and clothing totalling nearly £2,000 from shops in Falmouth has been banned from the town centre and jailed.

Oliver Jones, 42, of Meadowbank Road, admitted three counts of theft when he appeared at Truro Crown Court and was sentenced to five months in prison.

Jones was also made the subject of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) applied for by the Falmouth and Helston Neighbourhood Policing Team.

It means he cannot enter Falmouth town centre – in particular its shops and businesses – for the next three years.

Sector Inspector Tim Evans said: “Business crime is taken seriously in Falmouth.

“This conviction and the Criminal Behaviour Order issued by the court follow a lengthy investigation by Falmouth and Helston Neighbourhood Policing Team.

“The sentence given to Oliver Jones not only recognises the harm he has caused to the local area, but the CBO provides a preventative measure to ensure that he doesn’t return to this pattern of offending once released from prison.

“On release, the neighbourhood team, in partnership with local businesses, will ensure the order is enforced and will be proactive in doing so.”

Jones pleaded guilty to stealing two bottles of vodka and two bottles of whiskey worth a total of £92 from the Co-operative store in Cliff Road on 23 April 2023.

He also admitted the theft of cosmetics totalling £667 from Superdrug on 28 and 29 June 2023.

Jones also asked the court for two further thefts from shops in Falmouth in August 2023 – on one occasion stealing coats to the value of £1,200 - to be taken into consideration.

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He was sentenced on Tuesday, November 7.

The CBO, which will run for three years, prohibits Jones from:

• Entering the area known as Falmouth Town Centre except to pass through on public transport or to attend a professional’s appointment for which prior written appointment can be provided;

• Entering any shop, supermarket, shopping centre or any other commercial premises for which he knows he is banned;

• Refusing to leave any shop, supermarket, shopping centre or any other commercial premises once asked to leave by a member of staff, owner or security guard.