A prolific thief has been ordered not to enter a town centre supermarket after he stole hundreds of pounds worth of items from the shop.

Charles Morris, 35, has been handed a community order banning him from going into the Sainsbury’s store in Tofts Walk, Braintree, for 12 months.

Morris admitted to five separate charges of theft, a single count of assault and charge of criminal damage when appearing at Colchester Magistrates Court on April 11.

The thief had targeted the Sainsbury’s store on a number of occasions between November 28 last year and March 6 this year.

He stole a range of items, including alcohol and meat, worth a combined total of £477.54 and also damaged a plant pot worth £10.

Along with a 12-month ban from the store, magistrates ordered Morris to pay £389.054 in costs, including £100 in compensation.