A persistent shoplifter has been banned from Ipswich town centre by a judge who branded him an “anti-social nuisance”.

Jailing Scott Fifield for 18 months and making him the subject of a criminal behaviour order, Judge Rupert Overbury said: “I’m going to assist shopkeepers in Ipswich by passing a deterrent sentence which will allow them for a relatively short period some respite from your behaviour.”

“I’m perfectly satisfied that your behaviour is causing significant harassment, alarm and distress to shopkeepers particularly because on two occasions in July and August you were shoplifting while armed with a bladed article.

“There is no suggestion of you threatening anyone but your background of using drugs could cause an instability in your character and who knows in a drug induced moment whether or not you will pull out a knife if caught shoplifting.”

“The combination of arming yourself with a knife, shoplifting and taking drugs is something the courts will seek to prevent by passing deterrent sentences.”

Fifield, 22, of no fixed address admitted three offences of shoplifting from Wilko in Ipswich on July 16, from Primark in Ipswich on July 29 and Primark in Colchester on August 1 and possessing a bladed pruner as offensive weapon on July 16 and a kitchen knife on August 1.

In addition to being jailed for 18 months Fifield was made the subject of a criminal behaviour order banning him from entering Ipswich town centre and Primark in Culver Street, Colchester for two years and seven months.

The only exceptions to the order are pre-arranged visits by Fifield to Turning Point in Museum Street, Ipswich.

The court heard that Fifield had 51 previous convictions for offences including shoplifting, dishonesty and violence.

In addition he had five previous offences of having a bladed article.

Judge Overbury ordered that any breach of the criminal behaviour order should be brought back before him and warned Fifield that if he breached the order he would face a lengthy prison sentence.

Hannah Sutton for Fifield said that since being remanded in custody Fifield had undertaken a number of courses.

She said he had been tested for drugs while in custody and the results had been clear.

“He is determined to use his time in custody to better himself. He has four children and he wants to be a better role model for the,” said Miss Sutton.