A prolific shoplifter who regularly exploited vulnerable people across Chester has been banned from the city centre.

Donna Stewart of Church Road, Northwich, has been banned from entering Chester city centre for five years.

She was issued with a five-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) on Tuesday 4 November at Chester Magistrates' Court. 

Under the terms of the order, Stewart has been banned from entering Chester City Centre and several residences of multiple occupancy, such as sheltered housing and supported living accommodation.

This ban will stay in place until November 2030. She will face a substantial fine or even a prison sentence if she breaches it.

The order comes after officers submitted evidence to the court that Stewart had been targeting retailers across the city centre area, taking high-value items such as meat and beauty products without making any attempt to pay.

During Stewart's hearing it was revealed that the 43-year-old was also the subject of 11 partial and full closure orders.

This came as a direct result of her targeting a number of vulnerable people by forcing herself into their homes and using them for her and her associates to carry out drug-related and anti-social behaviour.

Inspector James Wilson, of Chester Local Policing Unit's Neighbourhood Team, said: "Stewart has been a consistent issue for our Chester retailers and the vulnerable people who live within the surrounding area, the latter of whom have been forced to live in fear of violence when she and her group of associates took over their homes.

"Not only that, but her consistently poor behaviour has regularly resulted in policing resources being diverted in her direction, so I am very grateful that the courts have imposed this order.

"The implementation of this criminal behaviour order will significantly impact upon her frequent criminality and protect the most vulnerable members of our Chester communities from further harm or distress."