A serial shoplifter has become the first person in Exeter to be jailed for breaking the newly enforced Criminal Behaviour Order.
Jamie Dawson was locked up for breaking the order, known as a Crimbo, just before Christmas by going into the city centre.
He has more than 100 previous convictions for shoplifting and was banned from going into the middle of Exeter after he stole cosmetics and other high value goods from stores.
He was ordered to receive drug treatment by Exeter Magistrates when they imposed the order on December 3 but within 48 hours he was shoplifting again.
He abided by the Crimbo by choosing a shop outside the restricted area to steal three bottles of wine but then broke it by heading into the city centre to meet other homeless friends.
Dawson, aged 34, of Cowick Lane, Exeter, admitted shoplifting and breach of a Crimbo and was jailed for 14 months by Judge Phillip Wassall at Exeter Crown Court.
He told him:"You were given an opportunity but within days you committed another offence. If I offered you drug rehabilitation you be almost bound to fail and would lapse back to what you have done before. There is no alternative to immediate imprisonment."
Mr Gordon Richings, prosecuting, said the Crimbo was imposed on December 3 but Dawson was caught shoplifting at Saunders in Victoria Road, Exeter, two days later.
Police were trying to trace him the next day when they saw him mingling with friends in the High Street in breach of the order and he was arrested.
Mr Peter Seigne, defending, said Dawson was hoping to address a long standing drug problem at the time but was arrested before he could attend his first rehabilitation appointment.
He said he has weaned himself off heroin while in jail and would have a better chance of remaining drug free if given another chance.
