A Stoke-on-Trent man has been sentenced after he was caught trying to steal a Lay-Z Spa from B&Q. 

Carl Proctor, from Chell Heath, is now barred from every B&Q store in Cheshire, Boots in Hanley and Pets at Home in Trent Vale. 

The 41-year-old entered B&Q in Crewe on 11 August and set off the fire alarm as he tried to leave through a side door with a Lay-Z Spa hot tub in his trolley. He was challenged by security and the hot tub, three outdoor lights and a plant were recovered. 

Before this, Proctor had stolen electrical items, power tools and other equipment worth around £1,800 from the same store across two visits on 22 July and 3 August.

In addition, he entered Tesco in Hanley on 16 July and took a Sharp TV without paying.

Proctor has been handed a community order. 

Inspector, Dan Welch, said: "Proctor was brazen in his attempts to steal from the stores in Crewe and Hanley, taking thousands of pounds worth of goods.

"Thanks to the security guard and staff, and local officers' knowledge in both Cheshire and Staffordshire, we were able to put a stop to his offending and bring him before the courts. 

"There are no borders in policing, and we will continue to work with our colleagues in other force areas to tackle crime in our communities and make Cheshire hostile to criminals.

"We are now seeking to obtain a Criminal Behaviour Order preventing him from entering Crewe to protect businesses and their staff from his prolific offending."

Proctor pleaded guilty to four counts of theft from a shop and one of assaulting a security guard back in August.

If he breaches the order banning him from the shops, he may face jail.