A PUBLIC pest has been hit with a suspended jail sentence after 'wilfully' failing to adhere to a court order banning him from several town centre stores.

Steven John Owen, of Victoria House in Northwich was only made subject of a substantial court order on May 23, but just weeks later was ignoring it.

The 52-year-old persistent shoplifter was banned from entering a whole host of stores across both Northwich and Winsford.

The unprecedented five-year order was welcomed by police at the time because Owen had made life a misery for business owners and residents alike over a period of about 10 years.

However, on June 15, he walked into B&M on Chester Way, which is one of the nine stores he is banned from. Undeterred, just five days later he entered Sainsbury’s before trying his luck at Iceland on June 23.

Owen pleaded guilty to the three breaches when appearing at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, June 24.

Northwich Guardian: Steven John Owen is banned from nine stores for five yearsSteven John Owen is banned from nine stores for five years

Taking those guilty pleas into account, they committed him to prison for six weeks but suspended that sentence for 12 months.

They reasoned Owen had shown 'wilful and persistent failure' to comply with the requirements of the order and because of his previous offending.

The sentence means any further breaches are likely to result in that custodial sentence being activated.

When the order was imposed last month, Sergeant Andrew Cooper of Cheshire Police welcomed the order, which also bans Owen being drunk in public and asking people for money.

He said: “Steven Owen’s behaviour has had a significant impact on residents and business in the mid-Cheshire area for a number of years.

“His repeated shoplifting and anti-social behaviour was making life a misery for those who were subject to his illegal activities.

"The local beat team listened to local businesses and residents and began collating evidence which would bring the CBO application before the court to help curb his behaviour.

“This result is an important step in getting Owen to change his behaviour and prevent crime and anti-social behaviour on our streets.”

Owen was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a surcharge to help fund victim services of £154.

Anyone who encounters Owen breaching the terms of his CBO over the next five years is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 to report it.