A street drinker who stole from TX Maxx and targeted a wine shop has been jailed.

Towards the end of 2018, Police from Thamesfield ward received numerous complaints about street drinkers congregating around the entrance to Putney Bridge Underground station.

Police said that the group were causing a great deal of anti-social behaviour, intimidating local residents, local businesses and those travelling through the station.

"When challenged, the group became aggressive," the Met said.

"In particular, one individual, Christopher Keeley, 58, was at the heart of this behaviour.

"When a new start-up wine business opened next to the station, they came into conflict with Keeley, who saw the area as his territory.

"His anti-social behaviour increased, as he threatened the proprietors and a Putney BID ambassador. On two separate occasions, he also stole up to £500 worth of goods from TK Maxx."

PC Vincent Chan, the ward officer for Thamesfield, then built a case against Keeley, who received a jail sentence of 12 weeks.

Having failed to appear at court, Keeley relocated to Wimbledon "in an attempt to avoid his sentence."

However, he continued to harass the wine businesses proprietor, who also had a branch in Wimbledon.

On a number of occasions, Keeley made threats of violence towards him, so PC Chanonce again built a case against him, this time for witness intimidation.

Keeley eventually pleaded guilty to the charges of witness intimidation. He received another jail sentence, this time for 10 months, and a two year restraining order that prevents him from contacting the victims, entering Putney High Street or being within 50m of the wine company’s Wimbledon business.

PC Chan said: “The transformation at the entrance of Putney Train station is clear for all to see.

"However, more it is important for the public to know police take witness intimidation with the upmost seriousness.

"The freedom of witnesses to give evidence free from any fear of reprisal is paramount to our judicial system.”