A THIRTEEN-year-old boy who repeatedly stole items over a month from a New Look store in Somerset has been ordered to pay almost £250 compensation to the fashion company.

The culprit, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was caught shoplifting on six occasions at New Look, in the Townsend Shopping Centre, in Shepton Mallet, between November 16 and December 15 last year.

He admitted the thefts when he appeared at South Somerset Magistrates' Court and also pleaded guilty to two charges of using threatening behaviour.

He was given a six-month referral order and told to pat £249.92 compensation to the New Look store.

PC George Simpson, of the Shepton Mallet Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "This is a very positive outcome for Shepton Mallet and will hopefully have an impact on the teenager’s behaviour in the future.

"We still require shop owners and members of the community to report any thefts and anti-social behaviour, so that positive action can be taken against the offenders.

"We know that getting to this stage has taken some significant time and we appreciate the support of the community in helping to challenge this unacceptable anti-social behaviour."