One of Newcastle's most prolific thieves has been banned from the city centre.
Mulberry Handbags Drug addict William Armstrong specialised in stealing women's purses and has 220 convictions ( more than half for theft.
The 30-year-old, of Sceptre Place, Elswick, targeted shoppers, drinkers and office workers in Newcastle city centre.
Now Armstrong, known as Billy the Pigeon, has been banned from the central areas of the city after he was given a three- year Anti-Social Behaviour Order. The Asbo, imposed on Wednesday by Newcastle magistrates, means he can enter the city centre only for a medical or professional appointment.
Armstrong's most recent offence took place in the Centurion deli bar at Central Station, where he stole a purse from a woman's handbag.
Dimmable LED Down Light K1018 2x3x1W / 2x3x3W The theft, on May 24, was captured on CCTV and Armstrong was arrested shortly afterwards and remanded in custody, where he was held until Wednesday.
He denied the offence but magistrates found him guilty at a trial last month and this week gave him a 60-hour community punishment order and fined him for breaching a community rehabilitation order.
Det Con Paula Metcalfe, of Northumbria Police's Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, said: "Armstrong is a prolific thief and we
embroidered patches are extremely pleased to have secured this order because it will protect members of the public in Newcastle city centre."
Armstrong's solicitor Gregg Stephens said his client had not enjoyed his time in custody and wanted to change his life.
