A MAN who committed a series of shop thefts said he was stealing to fund his gambling.
Shaun Anthony Clarke, 27, of St Clement Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to stealing fragrances worth £298 from Debenhams, stealing vodka, Jack Daniels and Southern Comfort worth £78 from Morrisons and stealing Jack Daniels, Bacardi and Southern Comfort worth £69 from the same store on a separate occasion.
He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 15 days rehabilitation activity requirement, fined £25 and ordered to pay £148 compensation to Morrisons, £85 costs and £85 victim surcharge.
Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Clarke had been detained as he left Debenhams and the property recovered.
He told police he had sold the booze he stole from Debenhams to fund his gambling.
Jonathan Taylor, defending, said there were issues relating to gambling but his client appeared motivated to co-operate with the probation service and put an and to his offending.
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