Christopher Michael Rost-Aldridges admits 24 charges of fraud and theft

Christopher Michael Rost-Aldridge pleaded guilty to all of the offences and also admitted three counts of stealing a total of four charity boxes and three other charges of theft.

Roost-Aldridge, 29, was remanded in custody at Channings Wood Prison, Devon, by Taunton Magistrates' Court and will be sentenced by a judge at Taunton Crown Court next month.

He tried to use a bank or debit card in Highbridge five times on August 29 last year and on three occasions in the same town at the Esso station, in Burnham Road, Burnham Road Stores, and the Co-op, in Southwell Crescent, on September 6.

In Bridgwater he attempted to use a card once on August 29 and twice on September 6, at Bridgwater Service Station and Londis, in Taunton Road.

He tried to gain a financial advantage for himself by using a card in B&M Bargains, in Burnham-on-Sea, on September 6.

On September 9 he committed the same crime in Taunton at Morrisons, Spar and Daily Needs Food and Wine, both in Station Road, and Tesco, in East Reach. Two days later he did the same in Wawel, in Eastgate, and Sainsbury's, in Billet Street.

He stole two charity boxes from Judith Goss florists, in the county town's Station Road, and one from AllStars Sports Bar, in East Street, on September 12 and another two ten days later from Burnham-on-Sea War Memorial Hospital.

He also stole a purse containing £30 from a person in Taunton on September 12 and a rucksack containing cash and valuables worth £300 from another person two days later.

He took a purse with £170 from a person in Burnham-on-Sea on September 6.