A MAN who carried out 11 thefts and, during one, threatened staff with a silver needle - like a knife - has narrowly escaped jail.

Nico Bradley was told he was getting a “final chance” to turn his life around as he was also given an order banning him from entering retail premises in Worcester and Redditch.

Holly Kilby, prosecuting, told Worcester Crown Court on Friday that the theft offences had been of low value goods, and he stole them from McColl’s shop, Morrisons and BP Garage in Redditch during a number of visits to them between April 12 and May 2 this year - just after being released from prison.

Ms Kilby said during two of the thefts he threatened staff when confronted, while in the May 2 theft he showed staff he had a silver needle on him, similar to a knife.

Bradley was found guilty of possessing a bladed article and also pleaded guilty to two other offences of using threatening words with intent, related to the May 2 incidents. The prosecutor added he had 45 convictions for 152 offences.

Niall Skinner, defending, asked for credit to be given for the fact Bradley had admitted the offences early on.

Mr Skinner added: “He is not proud of what he has done. He stole to sell the items, to squander money on class A drugs. He is 30 at the end of this year, he had had enough of it. He wants to change.”

Bradley, 29 of no fixed abode, who appeared on videolink from HMP Hewell, then begged the judge to give him a chance saying if released he would live in Bromsgrove and stay away from Redditch, where he had kept offending.

Sentencing him Judge Nicholas Cole said he was satisfied the custody threshold had been crossed, but he was prepared to give Bradley a “final chance” despite his “unenviable record”. But he warned him he could expect jail if he reoffended again. The judge gave him a 12 month community order with a drug rehabilitation requirement. He was also given a criminal behaviour order that bans him from entering any Redditch shops, as well as Home Bargains and Boots in Worcester.