A SERIAL thief has been banned from part of Cheshire at night for five years.

Dale Simpson has been handed an extended prison sentence and barred from southern parts of Warrington for five years between the hours of 8pm and 8am.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how on June 15 2021, the 32-year-old broke into a car and stole a Capital One bank card and a watch before being confronted by the rightful owner.

Prosecuting, Jonathan Rogers explained he took both items – the watch being worth around £130 – before the victim received notifications that his card was used at the Looking Glass pub and in a shop to buy an e-cigarette.

He then went to the pub and found Simpson there with friends after spending £27.

The defendant, of Clarke Avenue in Latchford, claimed he was given the card and watch.

A victim impact statement read in court said that his mother and younger sister no longer feel safe in their home and the watch was given to him by his late father.

In January 2022, over a three-hour spell, Simpson was seen on doorbell cameras attempting to steal from unlocked cars.

He used bags and trolleys to carry stolen items such as cash, sunglasses, a laptop and an iPad.

The following month, he was sentenced to 49 weeks in prison.

Between 2017 and 2020, Simpson was convicted of 13 thefts.

Defending, Peter Killen, stated that his client was a former primary school teacher whose ‘his world fell apart’ after a traumatic event.

He ‘knows he has got to do better’ and is going to move away from Warrington, the barrister added.

Sentencing, judge Brian Cummings QC said: “Your position is heavily aggravated by lengthy previous convictions.”

Simpson was told to adhere to a criminal behaviour order for the next 10 years and given a further 20 weeks imprisonment for 20 vehicle crime offences and two counts of handling stolen goods in the Warrington and Wilmslow areas.

As well as not entering south Warrington, he will not be allowed to enter Wilmslow for five years, wear any head or face covering when encroaching onto any residential or commercial property for 10 years or be in possession of any bank card, credit card or store card in public or private that is not in his name for 10 years.

Exemptions for entering south Warrington and Wilmslow will be allowed for pre-arranged work commitments, education or medical appointment or emergency.

Chief Inspector Neil Drum said: “Simpson is a prolific offender who has brought misery to Warrington over a number of years.

“He has no remorse for any of his victims and thrives off his offending.

“This is a fantastic result which shows the tenacity of our officers who sought to stop Simpson in his tracks and secure this CBO.

“This is also an example of how our officers will use all the tools available to them to make the area a hostile place for criminals.”

If Simpson fails to comply with any of the conditions could see a penalty of five years imprisonment.

Anyone who encounters Simpson breaching any of the above restrictions is urged to contact Cheshire Police at https://www.cheshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/soh/seen-or-heard/ or call 101, to report it.