A persistent shoplifter has been barred from three stores in her home town and told to clean up her act or face a wider ban or jail.
Rachel Downs, also known as Rachel Barnes, has been ordered by a court to stay out of the three Hinckley shops – Sainsbury's, in Clifton Way, the Co-op, Trent Road, and One Stop Shop in Stoke Road – for two years.
Leicestershire Police presented evidence that Downs – whose criminal record dates back to 1997 – stole and behaved aggressively to staff, often when drunk.
Hinckley Magistrates' Court granted a police application for the ban, known as a criminal antisocial behaviour order (Crasbo).
If the 44-year-old, who lives in Preston Road, Hinckley, breaches the order she can be arrested and possibly jailed.
Insp Johnny Starbuck, commander of Hinckley police station, said: "She has been a problem in this area for many years.
"I have been a police officer in Hinckley for 16 years and she was causing problems as far back as 1997.
"With this order we have looked at the shops where she has caused most harm.
"We felt this was the only option left at our disposal to try to get her behaviour under control.
"This is her chance to wake up and change her ways."
A photograph of Downs and the terms of the court order are to be sent to shops in the town centre.
Officers from Hinckley police station worked with colleagues from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and other agencies to put the application together.
