A SHAMELESS shoplifter demanded magistrates not ban him from Primark – then told them to “f*** off” after they gave him the banning order.

Martin Morgan, 35, who has more than 150 shoplifting offences on his record was handed a two year criminal behaviour order by Swindon magistrates yesterday.

The order bans him from going to shops in the town centre, the designer outlet in Rodbourne, the Swindon Waitrose and M&S in Mannington retail park.

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Martin Morgan's police custody shot Picture: WILTSHIRE POLICE

Morgan, who is currently serving an 18 week prison sentence for shoplifting and appeared in court via video link from Bullingdon prison, ordered magistrates spare him the town centre shops ban.

Interrupting the hearing, he told JPs he needed to go to sports shops and Primark – adding he didn’t know where else he was going to get clothes from.

The notorious shoplifter, who does not work, said he could not afford to shop elsewhere. He added: “I’m not trying to be awkward, you know what I mean?”

Prosecutor Ben Worthington had earlier told magistrates the application for a criminal behaviour order had been lodged with the court in spring last year.

Since then, Morgan had appeared before the court a further four times – on each occasion for shoplifting.

Town centre police officer PC Paul Bezzant said Morgan had 150 theft offences on his record. Analysis of his shoplifting pointed to 77 per cent of thefts being committed in the town centre, 15 per cent at Waitrose and 7.5 per cent apiece at the designer outlet and the Orbital shopping centre. The officer said Morgan was abusive and aggressive to police officers. “Mr Morgan shows little regard to the law,” PC Bezzant said.

Mr Worthington said the CBO would give shop staff reassurance that “something is to be done about Mr Morgan’s behaviour”.

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Primark, Regent Street Picture: ADVER

Morgan cut in after the prosecutor told magistrates that in making the order they needed to be sure the defendant’s behaviour was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. “I never kick off. There’s no alarm or distress whatsoever,” Morgan said.

Emma Hillier, for Morgan, said her client had no objection to the order prohibiting him from going to Mannington retail park, the designer outlet or Waitrose. However, he needed to buy his clothing from cheaper stores in the town centre. His bank, Barclays, was also in the town centre.

He had struggled with drug addiction, but he had significantly reduced his consumption of drugs over the past year. “He knows his record is not a good one. For the first time, Mr Morgan has been speaking very positively about the future. He accepts this order, if you grant it in its entirety, will last for two years. It will cause him some hardship.”

Magistrates imposed the two year CBO banning Morgan from all shops in the town centre, M&S in Mannington, Waitrose and the designer outlet. He will still be able to visit Barclays bank on Regent Street.

Morgan did not take the verdict well, telling chairman of the bench Maryanne Burton: “How am I going to get my clothes then?”

After the JP told him there were plenty of outlets around Swindon, Morgan replied: “F*** off, then. Don’t shout at me. Beg your pardon, don’t shout at me. Who do you think you are?”

He was told the video link to the prison would be switched off. “Go on then,” he said. “Bye, bye, bye then, bye then, bye then. Go on, I’m not talking to you.”

Once the link was turned off, Ms Burton told Morgan’s lawyer he could face a sentence of six months to five years’ imprisonment if he breached the CBO. Ms Hillier said: “I can only apologise on his behalf.”