A HOMELESS man who went on a shoplifting spree over four months has been jailed for a total of nine months.

Colin Edward Doble, 50, was caught stealing items from shops on ten occasions between January 13 this year and May 5.

Doble, who gave his address as care of homeless charity Open Door, in Mount Street, Taunton, was sentened at Taunton Magistrates' Court.

The court heard he stole:

  • three sheepskin rugs worth £164.97 from Dunelm;
  • six boxes of Calvin Kelin underwear valued at £74.94 from TK Maxx;
  • steak worth £90 from Marks and Spencer;
  • £64 worth of whisky also from M&S;
  • fragrance worth £66 from Boots;
  • three bottles of Jack Daniels priced at £90 from Sainsbury's;
  • three bottles of champagne worth £60 from Morrisons;
  • bottles of fragrance costing £170 from Boots;
  • bottles of fragrance valued at £122.50 from Boots;
  • and fragrance to the value of £121.50 also from Boots.

Doble pleaded guilty to nine of the offences while the other was proved in his absence, when a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

He received one-month prison sentences on each count, with eight of them consecutive.

Doble also admitted a charge of causing harassment, alarm or distress or using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, for which he was given a one-month concurrent prison sentence.