A Mitcham man who was caught carrying a knife in a public place has been jailed and banned from several places in Sutton.

Steven Hale, of Batley Close, was convicted of possession of a pointed or bladed article in a public place at Inner London Crown Court and sentenced to six months in prison (April 26).

He was also handed a five-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) which includes a ban on him entering three Sainsbury's branches and a Tesco in the borough.

The 35-year-old has also previously been convicted of stealing from several Sutton businesses which led to police submitting the case.

It means he now cannot enter these places and cannot carry a mobile phone which is not registered in his own name, an order which lasts until April 26, 2023.

The CBO means Hale is banned from entering:

- Three Sainsbury’s branches – London Road (one in Hackbridge and the other in Morden) and the High Street in Cheam

- Tesco in Oldfields Road

- Poundland in Sutton High Street

- Hot Rocks Flame Grill in London Road, North Cheam

- Solaris Tanning Salon in London Road, North Cheam

Hale also cannot be together with six named individuals in a public place, carry a knife or bladed article in any public place – regardless of its size – save for when used for work, or possess any wire cutters in public.

He was arrested by police near Strawberry Lane in Carshalton, on March 13, on supsicion of going out equipped to steal after being found with a lock knife on him.