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A man has been jailed after shoplifting in Blackwood town centre – despite being banned from entering the town.

Gareth Rudge, 35, of no fixed abode, had been given a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), which banned him from going into Blackwood town centre.

Rudge, who has previous criminal convictions, is banned from entering stores on Blackwood Retail Park, Blackwood Gate Retail Park, High Street, the bus station and market place, as well as Bridge Street, Williams Street, Hall Street and Cliff Road.

Rudge admitted breaching his CBO, as well as three counts of theft – including stealing more than £200 worth of electrical goods from the Boots store on High Street.

He was sentenced at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where he was handed a 34-month prison sentence.

Inspector Andrew Boucher, of Gwent Police, said the force “uses CBOs to target individuals, some of whom are prolific offenders or participate regularly in antisocial behaviour which can negatively impact the community”.

He added: “A CBO is often a last resort, and we will always work with partners to engage and support individuals prior to an order being made.

“However, as this defendant has shown, if an individual is unable to comply with the terms of their order or breaches them, we will take action in order to provide protection and reassurance to the public.”