A thief has admitted stealing a bottle of gin and some Valentine’s Day gifts from an Asda store.

Scott Hall, went into the branch in Sturry Road, Canterbury on February 13 and put the bottle of gin and the other gifts inside his jacket.

However, he was spotted doing so and as he attempted to leave without paying he was approached by a security guard asked him what he had in his jacket and Hall handed over the gin.

The 42-year-old was allowed to leave and was arrested over the matter on April 5 and and confessed to stealing all the items, which were valued at £37.75, during interview.

Hall, of Fairview Gardens, Sturry, was charged with shoplifting and admitted the offence when he appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on May 9.

Leanne James prosecuting told the court Hall had previous convictions, but not that many for shoplifting.

He had been given a conditional discharge for another shoplifting offence in March and this new offence pre-dated that.

Emma Wright defending told the court that the value of the other items he stole after giving the gin back was £9.75.

Magistrates ordered Hall pay compensation of £9.75 to the Asda store and pay £85 as the case should have been dealt with when he was given the conditional discharge in March.

This was due to the value of the items he took meant it would not change the original sentence he’d been handed then.