Reading Magistrates' Court:

A CHAMPAGNE and high end clothing thief has been banned from drinking alcohol.

In the dock at Reading Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, July 27, was Michael Gibson.

The 41-year-old, of Orchard Court, off Turners Drive, Thatcham, admitted stealing Bollinger bubbly worth £402 from Waitrose in Thatcham on Thursday, March 3.

He also admitted assaulting Sean Shiels by beating him in Newbury on Sunday, February 27.

Mr Gibson further pleaded guilty to stealing luxury branded clothing worth £310 from Camp Hopson in Newbury on Thursday, February 24, and shoplifting £188 worth of Champagne from a Bracknell store on Thursday, March 17.

District judge Samuel Goozee made Mr Gibson subject to a 90-day alcohol abstinence and monitoring order.

In addition, he was banned from entering Camp Hopson or Waitrose in Thatcham, for 12 months.

Finally, Mr Gibson was ordered to pay £85 costs and £50 compensation.