A HOMELESS thief who claimed he was stealing for survival has admitted shoplifting computer gear worth thousands of pounds from Wilko.

James George stole £1,139 of goods on March 26, then returned on March 31 to steal another £1,212 of accessories.

And the 29-year-old pleaded guilty at Swindon Magistrates’ Court to stealing meat worth £96.67 from Sainsbury’s on March 30.

Pauline Lambert, prosecuting, said: “A witness in Sainsbury’s saw a man put meat into a plastic bag and go to leave the shop.

“The witness got in front of the man and chased after him when he ran out, then the man dropped the bag and other members of staff came to help the witness.

“The goods were re covered and were resalable,” she said.

“On March 26, he went into Wilkinson with other men, took computer accessories and left the shop, then went back into the shop with three other men on March 31, selected items and left.”

Luke Jameson, defending, said: “He hasn’t given any evidence to indicate he had a leading role in the group who stole these items.

“He is currently homeless and resides in car parks, he hasn’t had an easy life.

“It’s easy for us to conduct our lives day to day with money in our bank accounts but he has been stealing for survival,” said Mr Jameson.

The bench remanded George, who currently has no fixed address, in custody until a bail hearing on Thursday.