A prolific thief who targeted cars in Newcastle has been banned from every car park in the country.

Between April and July last year, Malcolm Pattison, 33, of Milford Road, Newcastle, was convicted eight times for vehicle crime. There were seven thefts, including a number of satellite navigation systems and one count of vehicle interference.

He was sent to Durham Prison but released in September.

Pattison has now been given a two-year Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) and banned from entering any public car park in England and Wales unless as a legal passenger in a motor vehicle or legally travelling to or from a vehicle which he has legal access to in a car park.

The order, imposed at Newcastle Magistrates Court, also prevents Pattison from engaging in conduct which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to others or inciting or encouraging others to do so in a public place.

PC Hayley Douglass, from Newcastle Area Command's Anti-Social Behaviour Unit said: "We hope that this order has reassured members of the public and helps protect people who park their cars.

"ASBOs are now a well established tool in the fight against the persistent yobbish behaviour, intimidation, vandalism and crime that causes misery for people.

"This result sends a positive message to the local community that such behaviour will not be tolerated and the authorities will continue to take firm action against those who flout the law."