A SERIAL shoplifter who stole books worth hundreds of pounds to fund his drug habit has been jailed for almost a year.

Simon Barnes took a large number of items from Waterstones plus Lego, chocolate and a coffee-making machine from other stores in the Southampton area.

Timothy Akers, prosecuting, told Southampton Crown Court that Barnes had 63 previous convictions for 123 offences, including 72 of theft.

David Reid, mitigating, added: "This man has a dreadful record for theft and poor compliance with court orders.

"He has been addicted to class A drugs for ten or 11 years.

"His father died and a relationship came to an end, which left him struggling. He lapsed back into drug use, which explains his more recent offending.

"On remand he successfully withdrew from heroin and crack cocaine, which suggests he is someone who is motivated to try to come off drugs.

"Unsurprisingly there are mental health issues here as well.

"He's now in a relationship with a woman who is present in court today. That means there will be accommodation waiting for him when he is released from prison, and there is more chance of him complying with post-sentence supervision.

"There is cause for some hope and some optimism for this defendant."

Over a seven-month period earlier this year Barnes, 31, of no fixed address stole numerous items from Waterstones, Hotel Chocolat, John Lewis and the Co-op, plus a £439 bicycle from a pawnbroker.

Barnes pleaded guilty to 12 offences of theft and also admitted breaching two conditional discharges imposed for previous offences.

Judge Peter Henry told him: "The thefts were not insubstantial and included books worth several hundred pounds.

"The probation service have come to the conclusion that they can't do anything further for you. There comes a time when the courts have to deal fairly harshly with this type of offending."

Jailing Barnes for a total of 50 weeks the judge told him: "You are going to have to take a grip on your life."

CONTACT ME

t: 023 8042 4503

e: chris.yandell@

dailyecho.co.uk