A MAN who stole handbags and purses from elderly victims has been sentenced to nine months on prison.

Joesph Carr has also been banned from areas of Torquay for three years.

Carr appeared at Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court this week where he pleaded guilty to several offences, including eight counts of theft, one count of residential burglary, one count of racially aggravated public order and one count of criminal damage.

He also pleaded guilty to thefts of handbags and purses from elderly victim.

Carr received a nine-month custodial sentence and was issued with a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).

The newly granted CBO prohibits Carr from entering Torquay town centre, unless to attend: a prearranged appointment with a public authority for the purposes of accessing support services; a prearranged appointment with healthcare for the purposes of receiving medical advice or treatment from a medical professional; a pre-arranged appointment with a solicitor in relation to any proceedings to which the defendant is a party.

The 60-year-old, of no fixed abode, is also barred from entering any commercial premises or public building from which he is already banned.

Torquay Policing Inspector, Rob Harvey, said: ‘We are committed to making the town centre a safe place for people living in, working in and visiting the area.

‘The Torquay Neighbourhood Policing Team applied for the CBO after Carr was arrested on suspicion of several theft incidents.

‘The CBO recognises the harm and distress he has caused to the victims and provides a preventative measure to deter him from returning to this pattern of offending.

‘The neighbourhood team will work in partnership with local businesses to ensure the order is enforced.

‘Theft will not be tolerated we will continue to work with our partners to deal robustly with offenders who have a negative impact on our communities’.