A SHOPLIFTER caught offending ten times in the same shop has been jailed for almost three months.

Thomas Carson Howard, 30, of Duke Street, Taunton, admitted nine counts of theft from the Boots store in the town centre when he appeared at Taunton Magistrates' Courts on Thursday.

Howard also pleaded guilty to attempted theft from the same High Street premises and theft from the Esso Service Station.

All the offences were committed between May 5 this year and July 29, apart from one theft on October 23, the day before he appeared before magistrates.

Items he took from Boots included hair straighteners, fragrances, after shave, perfumes, candles and men's gifts sets.

He stole meat products from the service station.

He was sent to prison for 16 weeks for the theft of candles and 20 weeks (consecutive) for stealing fragrances from Boots.

Howard also received four eight weeks sentences, four six week stretches and one four week sentence, all to run concurrently.