A SERIAL shoplifter was given a nod of encouragement by a sheriff after steering himself away from offender in the past year.

Raymond Banner appeared in the dock at Alloa Sheriff Court to be sentenced for a number of offences he had committed between April 2019 and January last year.

On many occasions, the 41-year-old, of Union Street, Tillicoultry, had stolen items of food.

The court heard most of the offences involved Banner going into shops, concealing low price items such as biscuits in his clothing then leaving without paying.

He stole items of food from the Premier Store, High Street, Tillicoultry, April 3, 2019, and from the Co-op, High Street, Tillicoultry, on April 30, June 21, June 30 and July 10.

Banner also admitted taking alcohol from at Greens, Hill Street, Tillicoultry, on July 13, before taking sweets from the Tilly Co-op on July 18, August 10 and August 19.

He then stole food and juice from the Co-op again on October 5, before taking more foodstuffs from the store on January 18, 2020.

However, when the case called before Sheriff Craig Harris last Thursday, March 11, his progress was remarked upon.

The sheriff pointed out that Banner had no convictions in the past year and told him: "That's pretty good going for you."

With regards to the matters before the court, Sheriff Harris imposed a four-month restriction of liberty order.