A serial shoplifter has avoided jail after he stole more than £1,200 worth of items during a six-month crime spree. 

Graham Budge walked away with meat, candles, bath and body products and Gordon's Gin after targeting Sainsbury's, Next, TK Maxx, Asda, Waitrose and Wilko in Southampton.

The total value of the stock taken was £1,282.68. 

READ MORE: Southampton Co-Op, One Stop and John Lewis thief stole £1,400 stock

Budge, 40, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of theft from a shop at Southampton Magistrates' Court. 

The offences were committed between April 25 and October 26 last year. 

He also admitted five counts of failing to comply with a community protection notice in Southampton. 

Budge, of Eastlake Farm, Okehampton in Devon was given a community order until August 4, 2025.

The order includes a drug rehabilitation programme of 12 months, 25 rehabilitation days and 80 hours of unpaid work. 

Budge must also pay £844.20 in compensation for the items he stole.