A SHOPLIFTER with almost 150 theft offences to his name has been spared jail after admitting his latest spree.

Swindon magistrates heard Martin Morgan, 34, took alcohol and meat worth £109 from Marks and Spencer on January 25, returning 16 days later to take an unknown number of steaks.

On February 13 he was spotted by staff at the Waitrose store in Wichelstowe taking Jack Daniels and Bells whiskey.

Prosecutor Kate Prince said: “He was asked by a member of staff to put them back, to which he said no. He then left the store with his coat pockets bulging.”

He was charged with the thefts and put before the justices on Valentine’s Day, when he pleaded guilty to shoplifting.

Despite a bail condition banning him from going to the Swindon Designer Outlet, Morgan was spotted taking £100 of perfumes from the Cosmetics Company store on February 17.

He was back on February 23, this time lifting £344 worth of eau de cologne.

When the amount was read out to the court Morgan interjected, saying it was “£150 max” before winking at his solicitor.

Another interruption drew a stern warning from chairman of the bench Sarah Neish. “You and your lawyer will have a chance to put your case. Otherwise you will be sent down and you won’t have an opportunity to hear the rest of the case.”

Morgan, of Queens Drive, admitted six counts of theft and possession of cannabis.

Michelle James, for the probation service, said he had noticed a radical improvement in the thief’s attitude. She commented upon his comparatively calm mood in the dock.

She said: “My experience previously is that he can be quite surly, if I can put it that way. Everything is everybody else’s fault.

“That’s not the Mr Morgan that presented himself to me this morning.”

The probation officer said Morgan admitted: “I need to do things differently – to avoid the same outcomes.”

He had stolen in order to fund his heroin habit.

He had been given the cannabis as a freebie and had kept it as he thought it could be swapped if he found himself in prison. Since being in police custody he had gone cold turkey.

Emma Hillier, defending, said of her client: “He is motivated to change and he is looking at the consequences of his behaviour.”

He was staying at Swindon Borough Council-funded hostel The Haven on Queen’s Drive. He had tried doing an art therapy session at the facility but had not taken to it.

Magistrates sentenced Morgan to an 18 month community order with a requirement to complete a six month drug treatment programme. Mrs Neish said: “It’s going to take a lot of time and determination to get through it.”

He must pay £325 compensation to the stores he targeted.