A shoplifter equipped himself with a magnet to remove security tags and silver foil to beat security scanners.
Blackburn magistrates heard Samuel Chew failed to take into account he was known in both stores and the offences were caught on CCTV.
Chew, 28, of Monk Street, Clitheroe, pleaded guilty to theft of a key safe an lock from Homebase and two bottles of whiskey from Tesco. He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
Glenn Anderton, prosecuting, said Chew had used a magnet in Homebase to remove the security tag.
Two days later he went into Tesco, wrapped two bottles of whisky in tin foil and then left without making any effort to pay.
“He was well known to staff in both stores because of previous offences,” said Mr Anderton.
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