A hapless thief with a drink problem tried three times to steal booze from two shops but was caught by security every time he tried to leave the stores.

Artur Wiese tried to steal from B&M and the Tesco in New Road, Gravesend, on August 21, while he was intoxicated.

He first went to Tesco and picked up two crates of Stella beer, valued at £32, but was spotted by CCTV operators trying to walk out with the booze.

Wiese, of Princess Street in the town, was stopped at the door and the alcohol taken back before he was allowed to go on his way.

The 39-year-old then walked along the road to B&M and picked up a crate of Strongbow Dark Fruits cider, valued at £10, but again was monitored by CCTV operators and stopped as he tried to leave.

Again his details were taken, the cider taken back and he was allowed to leave.

However, instead of giving up, Wiese walked straight back to Tesco and picked up another crate of Stella, valued at £16, and again tried to leave without paying.

This time, however, a security guard had clocked what he was doing and stopped him at the door where again his details were taken and the booze retrieved.

He admitted three counts of shoplifting when he appeared before magistrates in Medway on October 19.

Neil Sweeney, prosecuting, said: "He's not the most successful shoplifter."

The court also heard Wiese had previous convictions for similar offences and was on a community order at the time he carried out the offences.

Defending himself, the thief said: "I was in detox, but then I started drinking again because I can't sleep. I don't know what I was doing because I had started to drink again."

Magistrates decided to revoke the community order he was on and re-sentence him over all matters and make a new order.

Wiese was placed on a 12-month order, which will see him complete a nine-month alcohol treatment programme, undertake 50 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation sessions.

He was also ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge and £85 costs.