A man with 81 previous convictions for theft and dishonesty has been sent to prison for stealing perfumes just days after receiving a community order for a similar offence.
Alan Webber, 34, of Everest Drive, Seaton, was told that custody was inevitable after he stole £186 of fragrances from Boots 10 days after appearing in court for stealing steaks and cookies from Sainsbury's and receiving the order.
Mark Haddow, prosecuting, told magistrates: "This was the 82nd theft that has been recorded against him and it was committed very soon after he received a community order for a like offence."
James Rickard, defending, said: "There was no sophistication and no planning in this offence.He has an issue with addiction and he simply does not seem to be able to cope with life outside prison.
"In an ideal world we would be able to place him in some form of residential rehabilitation programme. He does not take his actions lightly but he just does not know how to deal with his problems."
Magistrates said they could not ignore his previous convictions and issued the 17-week sentence.
Alan Webber, 34, of Everest Drive, Seaton, was told that custody was inevitable after he stole £186 of fragrances from Boots 10 days after appearing in court for stealing steaks and cookies from Sainsbury's and receiving the order.
Mark Haddow, prosecuting, told magistrates: "This was the 82nd theft that has been recorded against him and it was committed very soon after he received a community order for a like offence."
James Rickard, defending, said: "There was no sophistication and no planning in this offence.He has an issue with addiction and he simply does not seem to be able to cope with life outside prison.
"In an ideal world we would be able to place him in some form of residential rehabilitation programme. He does not take his actions lightly but he just does not know how to deal with his problems."
Magistrates said they could not ignore his previous convictions and issued the 17-week sentence.
