A man from Stockport has been given a suspended sentence and banned from a series of shops following a spate of shoplifting.

Michael Higginbotham (46), of Brook Street, Hazel Grove, stole designer items from Hoopers and JD Sports in Wilmslow, along with two other men; 33-year-old Benjamin Gittings and 40-year-old Karl Braisdell, both of no fixed abode.

Higginbotham was given a 26-week sentence suspended for 12 months, and - along with Gittings - was handed a criminal behaviour order restricting entry to any retail premises in the Wilmslow area.

They were also banned from every Waitrose, M&S, JD Sports, Hoopers, and Tesco in the Cheshire East area.

A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said: "It's a fantastic result that two of these individuals have been issued with CBOs which should further safeguard businesses in the area from their disruptive behaviour.

"Anyone who witnesses Gittings or Higginbotham breaching the terms of their CBOs should contact us via 101 or through our website to report it.

"We take retail crime incredibly seriously and know the impact it can have on retailers and business partners.

"That's why we are undertaking Operation Watchmaker this week to target shoplifting and other retail-related crime.

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"If you have any concerns please speak to an officer or call 101."

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