A Swindon criminal who committed two thefts - one from a TK Maxx and one from a shopper - has been punished.

One theft happened inside a McDonald’s while the owner picked up her food.

Steven Hawson, 41, of Holinshed Place, Grange Park, pleaded guilty in Swindon Magistrates' Court on July 9 to two counts of theft.

On March 30, Hawson and a woman entered McDonald’s, where they sat next to a woman who had just done £30 of shopping, explained Keith Ballinger, prosecuting.

While the owner of the shopping got her food, the thief is seen by CCTV picking up the shopping bags from under the table and leaving.

Steven Hawson, 41, in grey, hid his face leaving Swindon Magistrates Court (Image: Newsquest)

Earlier on March 1, a security guard at TK Maxx was watching store CCTV when he saw the defendant and another lady looking at items.

While he watched, Hawson tried to block the view of the CCTV while the two tried to steal a £39.99 jumper.

Hawson has 29 previous convictions with the last eight years ago.

His defence, Mark Glendenning, said Hawson “accepts he has just gone along with it, made a mistake, and fallen off that path of leaving that sort of behaviour behind him”.

The magistrates said: “I am pleased you have stayed out of trouble for so long”, and gave Hawson a £240 fine, £69.99 compensation, no costs and a £96 surcharge.