A ONE-man crimewave has become the first person in East Lancashire ever to receive two Anti Social Behaviour Orders.

Michael Aspin, of South Shore Street, Church, was spotted breaking bail conditions by a CCTV operator while on bail for shoplifting.

The 28-year-old's first ASBO had ended in March, after three years.

But when Aspin appeared in Hyndburn Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with eight separate thefts he was given an eight month jail term and made the subject of a second ASBO, to last another three years.

Today the police welcomed the sentence. PC Jason Marsden, town centre Community Beat Manager for Accrington police, said: "As far as we know it is the first time a second ASBO has been sought against a defendant, certainly in Eastern Division. Since his first ASBO expired, I would say he has committed literally a tidal wave of crime around Accrington town centre."

Under the conditions of the new order, which begins when he leaves prison, Aspin is prevented from entering Accrington town centre retail premises, and entering any store on the Eastgate Retail Park. He is also stopped from entering any shop or petrol station in Hyndburn which has banned him.

Phil Bond, vice-president of the Accrington Chamber of Trade, also welcomed the news. He said: "It will be nice if he has learnt his lesson."

Last month Aspin appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with three offences of shoplifting, while on bail for three other offences. The court heard how he had more than 100 previous convictions.

PC Marsden said: "Now that Aspin has been given a custodial sentence we are devoting our time to other anti-social matters which affect the town centre. He will be proactively targeted on his release from prison."