A PROLIFIC shoplifter who stole almost £4,000 worth of skincare products and perfume has been banned from entering a huge department store.

Julie Robinson admitted stealing products worth more than £3,900 from the John Lewis store in Chelmsford city centre, Essex Police said.

The 52-year-old, of Melbourne Avenue, Chelmsford, stole from the shop in Bond Street on 12 occasions between September last year and February this year.

She was ordered to pay £3,553 in compensation and additional costs and was ordered to complete a community order and six-month rehabilitation order at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

She was also banned from entering the John Lewis store for a year.

Acting Sergeant Jack Dodd said: “The Chelmsford town team investigated the series of thefts, trawling through many hours of CCTV footage to capture the evidence they needed to identify Julie Robinson and arrest her.

“As part of sentencing, she is now subject to a one-year exclusion requirement meaning she won’t be able to enter the store for 12 months.

“We’re committed to working with our businesses to ensure they can trade safely, without the threat of shop thefts affecting their livelihood.

“We’re here to support our city’s businesses and are committed to investigating all retail crime to provide the courts with the best possible evidence so we can secure charges and convictions to obtain justice for our retailers.”