A SERIAL thief has been jailed again after being told by magistrates that he has a ‘horrendous record of acquisitive offending’.

Michael Hayes was also told that he has a ‘flagrant disregard for people and their property’ following his latest shoplifting spree.

The 31-year-old, of Callands, was sentenced at Crewe Magistrates’ Court after admitting four charges of theft from a shop.

He also pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of violence, and breach of court bail.

The first shoplifting offences occurred in January of this year, all in the Liverpool area, explained Katie Johnson, prosecuting.

Hayes stole goods worth £436 belonging to John Lewis in Liverpool One on January 21, before returning the next day and helping himself to products worth £580.

Two days later, on January 24, he attended Wine and Sprite KSP and pilfered items worth £30.

Another offence was committed in Warrington on August 6, when he used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with the intention of causing a fear of violence.

By September 6, he breached his bail by failing to appear before Chester Magistrates’ Court as required.

The crime wave ended after he stole alcohol worth £29 from a Marks and Spencer store in Crewe on September 28.

Magistrates commented that only an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate punishment, given the severity of the defendant’s offending.

This took into account his ‘flagrant disregard for people and their property’, his ‘horrendous record of acquisitive offending’ and the fact that he made threats towards people.

Hayes, of Lydstep Court, was sentenced to 29 weeks in prison, to be served immediately.

He was also ordered to pay a total of £581 in compensation for his shoplifting.