A SECOND person in a week has been banned from a chunk of Winchester city centre because of their offending.

Connor Matthews has been hit with a two-year criminal behaviour order which bars him from entering the High Street between Southgate Street and Middle Brook Street or going into the Brooks Centre, Sainsbury's in Middle Brook Street and Boots. He is also banned from threatening or abusing staff in any shop.

Matthews, 27, of Hyde Gate, Hyde, had admitted seven thefts, four from M&S, two from Boots, and one from Waitrose, between April 22 and August 9, Basingstoke Magistrates Court was told.

The stolen goods, mainly meat and alcohol, totalled £766.23.

Matthews was ordered to pay £100 compensation to Boots.

READ MORE HERE: Chronic offender Michelle Humble banned from much of High Street

District Judge Tim Pattinson also imposed a two-year community order with the requirement to do 15 days rehabilitation activity.

Last week Michelle Humble, 38, of Sussex Street, received a similar order because of her long record of offending.

In a Facebook post, Winchester Police said: "Criminal Behaviour Orders replaced the old style ASBOs and are imposed by the court. The orders can restrict where a person can go, who they may associate with and what activities they may take part in. Breaching the order is a criminal offence and can lead to a prison sentence.

"Under the conditions of the CBO, both individuals are required not to enter Winchester High Street and surrounding streets. They must also not abuse or threaten any retail worker in any retail premises in Winchester.

"Both Humble and Matthews are prolific offenders in the City and we hope that the work we are doing around these orders provide retail workers, residents and visitors to Winchester reassurance that this behaviour will not be tolerated in our city.

"We will continue to work hard to tackle issues affecting the City, officers from Winchester NPT are in court for two more CBO applications this week."

It brings to five the number of CBOs in place in Winchester, barring chronic offenders from the High Street and certain shops.

Chief Inspector Korine Bishop said: “Both Matthews and Humble have wreaked misery on those who live and work in Winchester, showing no regard for the impact their offending has on local people.

“My officers have worked hard in securing these orders and have persisted in investigating incidents reported to us. Their determination has resulted in a further two CBOs being put in place in the city centre, I hope this goes to show our dedication to relentlessly pursuing criminals and keeping our communities safe.

“We are grateful to the local community and to our partners who have supported the work that has gone into securing this outcome.

“We want to stamp out this type of behaviour, and encourage affected residents to please keep reporting this to us so we can take the most appropriate action to reduce any disruption to the local community.”