Kevin Robinson, 33, was sent to prison for 12 weeks after he admitted stealing from two town centre shops and acting in a disorderly manner near St Mary's and St Thomas CE Primary.

St Helens Magistrates Court heard how the defendant was a member of a group being monitored by CCTV operators along North Road and Volunteer Street on the afternoon of November 9.

When police tracked the group down in the Lidl car park, Robinson swore at the officers.

Further patrols were then requested when the defendant continued shouting and swearing while parents walked their children home from the nearby school.

Angela Blackmore, prosecuting, then told the court how two theft offences had since come to light after Robinson was identified by police on CCTV stills.

The first theft took place at the Co-op store on Higher Parr Street, Fingerpost, on September 18 last year.

The defendant was followed by a store detective and was seen placing a box of chocolates - worth £20 - underneath his jacket. She shouted at him to stop but he ran out of the shop.

The second theft was at the B&Q store on the Ravenhead Retail Park, Milverney Way, on January 9.

Robinson was seen strolling around the store looking at items before picking up a ratchet, wrench and pair of pliers - worth a combined total of £71.

The court was told he even asked the store detective if they were a good brand before leaving the shop without paying.

An off-duty police officer gave chase but stopped when the defendant dropped the goods.

David Lloyd, defending Robinson, said his client had been stealing out of necessity because he had been homeless since his release from a previous prison sentence.

He said the defendant deserved credit for his early guilty pleas.
Robinson, of Dudley Place, Parr, was jailed for 84 days for the thefts - minus the fortnight he had spent behind bars prior to sentencing. There was no separate penalty imposed on the disorder charge.