A THIEF stole washing detergent from a budget store a day after he had been given a court order banning him from shops.

John Pickering, 53, was handed a Criminal Behaviour Order, which prohibited him from entering shops in Workington, Maryport and Carlisle, when he appeared before magistrates on September 27.

But the following day, he went to B&M in Maryport and stole washing detergent pods worth £28.95, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

He pleaded guilty to theft from a shop and breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).

Outlining the facts, prosecutor Pamela Fee said Pickering had entered the B&M store and took five items, making no attempt to pay.

A member of staff, who was aware that he had been banned, questioned him. He told the shop worker, ‘you don’t know what’s going on in my head’.

During police interview, Pickering admitted he took the items and said he was aware of the CBO.

John Cooper, defending, said: “I don’t think Mr Pickering could make my job any harder.

“He appeared last week and was given the CBO. He’s got a suspected brain tumour. He’s got a scan.

“He’s only just started shoplifting relatively recently. When he left court that day, he made an attempt on his own life. That hasn’t worked so he’s decided to get himself locked up.

“He can’t give me a good reason why he has done it. The CBO is in its infancy.”

Thomas Ryan, chair of the magistrates’ panel, said: “We did consider sending you to prison. We stepped back from that to give you one last chance to work with the Probation Service.”

Pickering, of Senhouse Court, Maryport, was fined £200 and ordered to pay £28.95 in compensation to B&M.

He must also pay £85 costs.

Pickering was given a community order with a drug rehabilitation requirement when he appeared in court on September 27.