A PERSISTENT shoplifter who stole goods worth more than £1,000 from stores across Knutsford and Wilmslow has been sentenced to six months behind bars.

John Michael Skilling, of Brownley Road, Wythenshawe, pleaded guilty to three thefts from stores across Wilmslow at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The 51-year-old stole three electric razors worth a total of £88 from Boots on Saturday, August 29.

Skilling returned to town on Sunday, December 13, where stole chocolates worth £100 from Tesco and two Armani jackets worth a total of £740 from Hoopers.

He had already appeared in court on Wednesday, October 7, where he was convicted of stealing bottles of spirits worth £126.50 from Booths, in Knutsford, on Wednesday, September 16.

Skilling was handed a suspended 12-week prison sentence following the Booths theft, which he will now serve behind bars after being sentenced for the further offences in Wilmslow.

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At Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Monday, he was handed a further four-week sentence for each theft in Wilmslow, taking his total sentence to 24 weeks behind bars.

In sentencing him, the court said Skilling 'has a flagrant disregard for court orders' and his previous record of offending was taken into account.

Skilling must also pay £88.48 in compensation and £39.52 for a victim surcharge.