A SHOPLIFTER who targeted the Co-op 10 times in three weeks told the magistrates he “didn’t mind a bit of graft”.

David Mundy, 31, who was banned from every Co-op in England last year, had only been out of prison for eight days when his spree began on March 30.

Over three weeks, he stole £362-worth of goods from the Co-operative. On Monday, April 19, he committed three separate thefts at the chain’s stores – making off with £69-worth of laundry products and meat worth £75.50.

Prosecutor Keith Ballinger told Swindon Magistrates’ Court that of the 80 offences on Mundy’s record, 53 were for theft.

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In December 2019, he was jailed for 16 weeks after he smashed 43 windows at the Deer’s Leap pub in Penhill then kicked a police constable in the head.

He was given 12 weeks in custody in January this year for assaulting an emergency worker and criminal damage. Mundy was released from prison on licence on March 22, just eight days before his first theft charge.

Last August, Mundy was banned from every Co-operative in the country as part of the conditions of a 15 month community order.

Mundy, of Station Road, admitted 10 counts of shoplifting. Mitigating, Gordon Hotson said his client had a long-term addiction to alcohol but was motivated to tackle his habit. He was currently helping his friend, who ran a dry lining business.

From the dock, Mundy suggested he’d be happy to do unpaid work once he was signed off as fit by the probation service. “I don’t mind a bit of graft,” he said.

Imposing a 12 month community order with a six month alcohol treatment requirement, chairman of the bench Martin Smith said: “I don’t know what you’ve got against the Co-op, but it always seems to be the Co-op.” Mundy must pay £362.70 in compensation.