A MAN has been jailed after breaching a ban on entering shops in Ipswich town centre.Christopher Woodward, 24, of Austin Street, Ipswich, pleaded guilty to breaching an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) by entering the T-Mobile shop In Tavern Street.

A MAN has been jailed after breaching a ban on entering shops in Ipswich town centre.

Christopher Woodward, 24, of Austin Street, Ipswich, pleaded guilty to breaching an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) by entering the T-Mobile shop In Tavern Street.

He also admitted using threatening or disorderly behaviour and stealing from another shop in the town.

South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court heard from Andrea Reynolds, prosecuting, that Woodward was seen by a security guard going into the T-Mobile shop on July 9.

The guard, who recognised Woodward and knew he was barred from town centre trading premises, followed him inside and challenged him.

Mrs Reynolds said that at this point Woodward became verbally aggressive, and the guard noticed he was holding a pair of scissors in one hand.

The security guard removed Woodward from the shop by putting his arms around him and physically moving him, before dialling 999.

Police arrived shortly after and arrested him.

He also admitted a charge of stealing from newsagents Foxhall News.

The court heard that he was caught on CCTV putting food items into his pocket on July 19.

Woodward was given the ASBO banning him from all town centre retailers on September 29, 2006, after being charged with public order offences in the town centre.

In mitigation, Roger Thompson said: “He does not recall having scissors on him and there is no suggestion there was any threat to use them as a weapon.

“He is trying to keep out of trouble.”

Sentencing him to a total of five weeks in prison, presiding magistrate John Horton said: “These offences are so serious only custody is suitable.”

He was sentenced to two terms of four weeks' imprisonment, to be served concurrently, for breach of the ASBO, and for a further week to be served consecutively for breach of bail by failing to surrender to police on July 28.

No further penalty was made for the theft of food or using threatening behaviour.

Do you think ASBOs are working? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk