A prolific shoplifter from Swindon has been sentenced after a spree of stealing clothes worth nearly £1,000.

Mark Thirkettle appeared at Swindon Magistrates' Court last week to face punishment for four offences.

The 51-year-old pleaded guilty to taking four T-shirts worth £219 altogether from Swindon's TK Maxx on June 26, 2024, returning to the store on July 3 to steal five more T-shirts worth a total of £274.95, and then shoplifting clothes worth £200 from JD Sports on July 6 before going back to take clothes worth £250 from the sportswear shop on July 25.

He received a community order that requires him to carry out up to 30 rehabilitation activity days and pay £250 each in compensation to JD Sports and TK Maxx.

Thirkettle has appeared before the courts on several other occasions.

In December 2022, he was jailed for 46 weeks after being convicted of sex thefts, one non-dwelling burglary, and criminal damage.

In August 2023, he was jailed for a further six weeks after stealing from the town centre branch of Marks and Spencer that has since closed.

Last December, he was sent back behind bars again for 26 weeks after admitting to four thefts - three of which were from TK Maxx - and riding an e-scooter without a licence or insurance.