A SERIAL shoplifter caught stealing from stores on eight occasions this year has been jailed for six weeks.

James Phillip Guy-Gibbens, 41, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to a number of offences when he appeared at Taunton Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Guy-Gibbens targeted Marks & Spencer on Taunton on March 10 and 11, stealing joints of meat on one occasion and bottles of alcohol the following day.

He received a one week (concurrent) prison sentence for each offence and was ordered to pay £135 compensation.

He also stole alcohol from Morrisons in Bridgwater twice on March 13 and once the following day, for which he was sentenced to one week (concurrent) in prison on each count.

He also admitted attempting to steal alcohol from Morrisons on March 13, which attracted a one week (concurrent) sentence.

He was given six weeks behind bars for using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour in Bridgwater the same day.

The court heard that during the offences, Guy-Gibbens made threats to an M&S worker and that he has a record of persistent offending while subject to court orders and licence.

Guy-Gibbens was in breach of a conditional discharge imposed on February 10 imposed for stealing coffee and washing powder from Morrisons, in Bridgwater on February 1 and for stealing toys from Sainsbury's in the town seven days later. He received one week (concurrent) in jail for each offence.