AN Ipswich man has been banned from every Co-op store in the town for five years after being jailed for a series of thefts.Lee McLaughlin, 27, of Wicklow Road, White House, struck 25 times at supermarkets across Ipswich between August 2 and September 1 this year.

AN Ipswich man has been banned from every Co-op store in the town for five years after being jailed for a series of thefts.

Lee McLaughlin, 27, of Wicklow Road, White House, struck 25 times at supermarkets across Ipswich between August 2 and September 1 this year.

This figure included more than 20 thefts from various Co-op stores across the town.

South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court heard that the total value of goods taken came to almost £600.

McLaughlin was jailed for a total of 12 weeks.

A post-conviction anti social behaviour order (ASBO) was also issued prohibiting him from entering any Co-op store in Ipswich for five years.

Miriam Harrup, communications and community manager for east of England Co-operative Society, said: “We take the safety of our customers and staff very seriously.

“It has taken a lot of hard work and dedication by our loss prevention team who have worked very closely with police to bring this action.

“We are delighted with the outcome which will see him banned from our stores until October 2012.”

Andy Soloman, anti social behaviour network manager for Ipswich, said: “The imposition of this post-conviction ASBO sends out a very clear message to people should they continue to offend in this way and abuse the trust that has been displayed to them by the shop staff.

“These orders are not given out lightly.

“They are one of a number of tools that can be used to deal with criminal activity and anti social behaviour.

“In this case I feel it is a right and proper way to deal with this man's activities.”

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Some of McLaughlin's offences:

Theft - 01/09/07 - Woodbridge Rd Co-op value of £112.05 (alcohol, cosmetic & air fresheners)

Theft - 24/08/07 - Foxhall Road Co-op value of £117.51(cosmetics)

Theft - 26/08/07 - Foxhall Road Co-op value of £25.80 (cosmetics)

Theft - 27/08/07 - Meredith Road Co-op value of £44.22 (meat & cosmetics)

Theft - 14/08/07 - Foxhall Road Co-op value of £11.85 (cosmetics)

Theft - 10/08/07 - Foxhall Road Co-op value of £35 (dvds)

Theft - 07/08/07 - Foxhall Road Co-op value of £21.97 (dvds)

Theft - 03/08/07 - Sheldrake Drive Co-op value of £67 (meat)

Theft - 24/08/07 - Hamilton Road Co-op value of £220 (Dvds & food)

Theft - 01/09/07 - Suffolk Retail Park Argos value of £149.99 (Hoover)

Theft - 10/08/07 - Suffolk Retail Park Argos value of £19.99 (Socket Extension lead)

Theft - 29/08/07 - Suffolk Retail Park Argos value of £39.99 (HP Printer)