A SHOPLIFTER has been banned from entering large parts of Bolton town centre and its stores for five years after a court was told his long history of crime.

Simon Felton, of Seymour Road, Astley Bridge, is the latest criminal to be served with an Anti Social Behaviour Order by magistrates.

It was issued after he pleaded guilty to theft and was sentenced at Bolton Magistrates Court yesterday to a 12-month community rehabilitation order.

The 30-year-old -- a former pupil of Bolton's George Tomlinson High School who works as a canvasser -- is banned from entering public parts of Bolton town centre. The order also means he must not use threatening behaviour, damage or threaten to damage property and use intimidating or violent behaviour towards people for five years.

Alistair Bower, prosecuting, said Felton's record stretched back to 1995 and included 16 shoplifting and theft offences in the town centre from 1999 to 2003.

Felton now risks a five-year jail term if he is convicted of breaking any part of the order.

He pleaded guilty to stealing a mobile phone kit from a store in Oxford Street, Bolton, at around 1.30pm on Thursday, August 28.

Mr Bower said he was seen by the store manager to put the £16 phone accessory in his coat then walk out of the shop without paying for it. He was arrested and later apologised in a police interview, the court was told.

Martin Ryan, defending, said the exclusion zone covered all the shops and retail areas. He said: "It is all down to him now but he understands fully what is expected of him."

Felton also admitted breaching a conditional discharge imposed after he admitted stealing a travel bag from Debenhams in the Market Place on July 10.

The terms of the Anti Social Behaviour Order were not contested. Felton was also fined £30 with £20 costs for breaching his conditional discharge.