A SHOPLIFTER has been banned from going into any shop in the country – with the exception of one chemist in Weymouth to pick up a methadone prescription.

Stephen Keith Clapton, aged 45, of Grangecroft Road, Portland, was placed under the restriction when he appeared at Weymouth Magistrates Court.

Magistrates called for an all-options report before sentencing him for two admitted offences of shoplifting.

He is on bail with conditions of residence, reporting three times a week to police and is banned from going into any retail premises in the country apart from the chemist’s shop on Buxton Road in Weymouth.

Clapton had pleaded guilty to stealing eight bottles of whisky valued £95.52 from Aldi in Weymouth on March 26.

The court was told that he also admitted stealing £24 of rump steak and meat joints from the Co-op in Portland Road on April 10.

He is also due before the Yeovil court over a theft allegation dating from March 31 and magistrates heard a guilty plea was anticipated for that matter.

Des Reynolds, defending, said Clapton’s offending started with a drug habit which became worse.

Clapton was now seeking help for heroin addiction that had overwhelmed him, the court was told.

He said Clapton was complying reasonably well with a community order imposed on him by the court in December.

Clapton had appeared before magistrates at that time and admitted stealing lead by stripping away flashing from garages at Four Acres on Portland.

A witness had caught two offenders on camera.

Police had arrived to discover 50 kilos of stolen lead flashing in a nearby van.

Clapton is due back before the court on May 5.