A REPEAT shoplifter who stole from a B&M store in Carlisle said he committed the crime so he had presents to give to his cousins.

Alexandru Balta, 42, who also stole toothbrushes, admitted stealing from the store on April 6. But he was detained by store security staff at the store before he could get away, Carlisle’s Rickergate court heard.

The total value of the goods he took was £89.

Steven Marsh, defending, said the defendant, from Lord Street, Walsall, had been in the country for three months and was visiting relatives in the city. He accepted the theft had put Balta in breach of a suspended jail term for an earlier theft.

That crime, committed in north Wales, had involved the theft of goods worth £1,167 that belonged to Boots, the court heard. Balta had also previously been cautioned for theft in London.

District Judge John Temperpley told the defendant: “You are quite clearly going around the country and while you are away from your home address you are stealing on a regular basis.”

He jailed Balta for 12 weeks, with the term including three weeks for the latest offence and nine weeks being the suspended jail term which has now been activated.

Upon release, the defendant must pay a £154  victim surcharge.