Prolific thief banned from 35,000 pubs, restaurants and clubs

A prolific thief has been banned from every pub, bar, restaurant and hotel in London for 25 years.

34-year-old Rodney Williams has been barred from anywhere serving alcohol in the capital, which works out at 35,000 premises.

His Anti-Social Behaviour Order means he cannot go in any drinking establishment in Greater London - an area of around 600 square miles - for a quarter of a century.

The ban was imposed after he admitted stealing from customers in pubs and bars.

He was also jailed for four years after admitting 12 counts of theft and one count of theft by finding at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

It means Williams will be nearly pushing 60-years-old by the time he can next go into any of the estimated 35,000 licensed venues within the 32 London Boroughs.

It is believed to be the first time a court has exercised its powers to specifically ban a criminal from all licensed premises in Greater London.

Williams was arrested in April on suspicion of theft of a handbag from a licensed premises in Hoxton, east London.

After an extensive police investigation, Williams was charged with theft and a further 12 copycat offences, all carried out in pubs, clubs and restaurants in east London.