Plymouth man banned from riding a bike (unless he can prove ownership)

A man from Plymouth has been banned from going near bikes, reports the Plymouth Herald. As part of a criminal behaviour order, heroin addict John Liddicoat cannot go within four metres of a bike rack or have a bike unless he can prove ownership.

Plymouth Crown Court heard that Liddicoat had 48 convictions for 142 offences, including many thefts of bicycles and several burglaries. Judge Ian Lawrie said: “He has a tendency to take anything which is not bolted down.”

Where are Britain's railway cycle theft hotspots? We crunch the data

As well as jailing him for three and a half years, Lawrie handed out an indefinite criminal behaviour order which makes it an offence for Liddicoat to have a bicycle he cannot prove he owns. He also cannot go within four metres of a bike rack nor enter the University of Plymouth or any school or college – the scenes of previous thefts.

While there are obvious questions as to how the order could be enforced, if he breaches it Liddicoat could face a sentence of five years in prison.

Liddicoat appeared via videolink from Exeter Prison to admit his latest burglary on December 18.

Prosecuting, Piers Norsworthy said he had targeted a garage attached to a house in Mutley from which he stole bottles of wine. The resident said he took 20 bottles she had been saving for Christmas. A partial match to Liddicoat’s DNA was found in the garage and he admitted to taking three bottles in police interview.

Michael Green, defending, said Liddicoat had struggled with a heroin addiction for around 28 years and had relapsed following the break-up of a relationship.