A repeat shoplifter has been banned from every single Co-op in the country.

But David Mundy was spared a spell behind bars after magistrates heard the council had found him somewhere to live on Station Road – and even paid his first month’s rent.

However, the 31-year-old hadn’t even had a chance to get his belongings into the new room. His lawyer, Gordon Hotson, said his client’s lease began on August 29 and he’d been arrested on the morning he was due to move in.

Appearing before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Bank Holiday Monday, Mundy admitted eight counts of shoplifting.

Prosecutor Kate Prince said he had been spotted going into various Co-op shops in the town between July 31 and August 26. On most of the occasions he had stolen laundry products.

Mr Hotson said Mundy struggled with alcoholism. He had been in and out of prison in the past, but it had generally not had a salutary effect.

Since being released from his latest jail sentence in June he had kept appointments with the probation service. He hoped to gain his CSCS card, which will enable him to work on building sites.

“There’s been significant progress since he came out of prison and the securing of the accommodation is by far the most positive element of that,” Mr Hotson said.

Magistrates made a 15 month community order. Mundy must do 160 hours of unpaid work and up to 15 rehabilitation activity days. He was banned from every Co-op store in the country.

Noting his recent progress, chairman of the bench Maryanne Burton said: “Keep up the good work with the probation service and that will be the end of the matter.”