A thief took power tools, a leaf blower and other items when he walked into two DIY stores on the same day.

Matthew Warner, 35, went into B&Q in Barker Road, Maidstone, and was spotted by staff looking at a Dewalt power drill and taking it out of the box.

As he did so, he took a Dewalt 18v battery, valued at £43, out of the box and put it into his pocket.

He then put the drill back into the box, minus its battery, and walked out of the store without paying.

A member of staff followed him out of the store but Warner jumped in his car and drove off.

The employee took a photograph of his registration plate and it was passed to police to investigate.

Later the same day, Warner, of Reculver Walk, Maidstone, went to the nearby Wickes store in St Peter's Street, Maidstone.

He took a leaf blower, power drill, drill accessory set, two handsaws and a green body warmer and left the store without making any attempt to pay for the items.

He was challenged as he left but told staff he had brought the items into the store with him and he was allowed to leave.

A member of staff made a note of his vehicle registration and when the store's CCTV was checked, staff passed his registration to police as the footage showed he had taken the items off the shelves.

Both offences were carried out on October 18 last year and police tracked down his address through his car registration.

When they went to his home on November 29 they found all the stolen items inside.

Warner was charged with two counts of shoplifting and admitted both offences when he appeared before magistrates in Maidstone on January 3.

Debbie Jones, prosecuting, said: "All the items were recovered at his home. He has previous for theft including a caution."

The court also heard Warner's circumstances had changed and he was suffering from mental health issues and as a result could not work as a roofer. He also had some alcohol issues.

Magistrates fined him £120 for each offence and he was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £96 and £85 costs.