A TEENAGER with numerous convictions for shoplifting and theft of cycles has been made subject to a criminal behaviour order which bans him from entering large parts of the town.

Blackburn magistrates heard Juan Freily Ramos had previously been given opportunities to change through conditional cautions and restorative justice but had snubbed all efforts to help him.

Ramos, 18, of Dyson Street, Blackburn, was made subject to a ‘Crimbo’ for three years.

Under the order he is banned from the Mall, including shops on King William Street, Ainsworth Street, Church Street and Blackburn Market; the Townsmoor, Grimshaw Park, Lower Audley, Nova Scotia and Peel Park shopping areas; Morrisons; the Blackburn College campus in Blakey Moor, St Paul’s Street, Montague Street, Fielding Street and Barton Street.

He is also prohibited from possessing any handheld tool or cutting implement in public without reasonable excuse.

Enza Geldard, prosecuting, said the application for a Crimbo came after an extensive history of shop theft and abusive and disruptive behaviour. His latest convictions were for three pedal cycle thefts and theft from B&Q of a set of bolt croppers.

All the bicycles stolen had been chained but the chains had been cut. Two of the bike thefts were from the college campus and the other from the cycle park under the Debenhams ramp.

Ramos did not attend court to oppose the application.

Blackburn councillor Michael Lee said: “It’s important that the magistrates send him a very strong message that this kind of behaviour is not acceptable.

“I hope that this will make him become a better member of society in the future.

“It’s important that we make sure that people feel safe when they come into the town centre.

“The last thing that we want is for people to not feel safe.

“This is one step away from a prison sentence and I hope that it does him some good.

“I hope that people will feel more confident about coming into the town centre in light of this ruling.”