A couple who stole thousands of pounds worth of goods from the Outlet Village have been remanded in custody by a judge.

Ashley Rees, who a court was told was 'doing remarkably well' on a probation order at the time, and Suzanne Taylor sneaked into staff areas at stores to take stock.

And the pair pinched a load of alcohol and other items from a supermarket during their four weeks of crime.

Rees, 36, and Taylor, 29, first stole a set of headphones worth £280 from Bose on Friday October 5.

On the following Thursday they escaped with £1,700 of clothing from the Hugo Boss store.

And the day after they were back at the Outlet Centre going to the Ralph Lauren store where they pinched clothing worth £1,652p.

Rees then stole a bike from the Rodbourne shopping mall on Thursday October 25 and on Monday October 29 the pair stole alcohol and other items from Sainsbury’s.

The couple, of Reading Street, Railway Village, pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary and theft.

Rees admitted a further theft. Taylor denied that account as well as gong equipped to steal after being allegedly caught with screwdrivers and pliers.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court that they would not seek a trial on the remaining matters.

Susan Cavender, for Rees, said “He has been doing remarkably well on a previous probation order.”

But after checking he was on the order at the time of offending Judge Jason Taylor QC pointed out: “He wasn’t doing that well on it, was he.”

Miss Cavender said he was hoping to get moved to a half-way house in Birmingham where he could clean himself up as he is currently on methadone.

David Maunder, for Taylor, asked for a pre-sentence report to be carried out on his client.

The court heard that both had been recalled on previous sentences with Rees not due for release until mid January and Taylor later this month. Putting the matter off to December 18 the judge said “At the moment it seems unlikely there will be any form of sentence in the community.

“From what I have been told you should both expect custody.”

As Taylor was being led back to the cells Rees, who was appearing by videolink, shouted ‘Love you Suzie’.