An anti-social serial shoplifter has been banned from 10 shops and businesses in and near York city centre as magistrates try to protect shop staff from him.

Other shops can be added to the list Gary Maddison cannot enter if they give him written notice he is banned from their premises.

York magistrates heard that the 62-year-old has been stealing from the city’s shops for many years and has a long history of being abusive or unpleasant to shop staff.

Megi Rychlikova reports.

Serial shoplifter Gary Maddison (inset) and some of the shop and high street chains which have banned him from at least one of their branches (Image: Newsquest)

Meanwhile, a “great deal of work” is needed to reduce the number of deaths from drugs, alcohol and suicide in York, a council health boss warned. Dylan Connell has more.