A DROITWICH man stole meat, cheese and lager during a theft spree in the town.

Rikki Jankowski admitted stealing meat and cheese from Aldi and two bottles of Stella Artois from Sainsbury’s in the town on January 5 and 15.

Prosecutor Rhiannon Lucas told the court: “On January 5 the defendant entered Sainsbury’s and was seen putting two bottles of Stella Artois into an Asda bag.

“A member of staff addressed him and asked him to give them back. She says she received one from the defendant but cannot remember if he gave the other one back.”

The court heard how the second offence took place on January 15, when Jankwoski, of Shepherds Place, Droitwich, entered the Aldi branch and began putting various “meat and cheese items” into his basket before fleeing with the goods.

Jankowski, who has 45 theft offences on his record, pleaded guilty to the two counts of theft and the court was told he admitted during a police interview that he intended to sell the meat and cheese for drugs.

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Paul Stanley, representing Jankowski, said: “He is now 35 and you will see from his history that he has in more recent years stayed out of trouble.”

Mr Stanley told the court Jankowski is a fully qualified plumber and had been living in Scotland between 2014 and 2018, during which time he was not charged with any offences. His most recent sentence was a conditional discharge in 2018.

Mr Stanley added: “They (the thefts) were not very sophisticated because he is seen on the cameras and apprehended by staff before leaving. In the first theft the lager was recovered.”

The 35 year old admitted the thefts when he appeared before magistrates in Worcester on February 27 and chair of the bench Sarah Murray handed Jankowski a two-year conditional discharge as well as ordering him to repay the £89.50 which the meat was valued at.

No application was made for costs due to Jankowski already owing more than £2,000 in existing court debts.