A THIEF described by the courts as a ‘professional criminal’ has been jailed after stealing plants pots and lamb joints from supermarkets in Northwich.

Gary Bloor, of Parkfield Road in the town, was told he had a ‘flagrant disregard for people and their property’ when appearing at Chester Magistrates’ Court on August 22.

The 40-year-old was recalled on licence after stealing two plant pots worth £20 from Waitrose on August 15.

Just two days later, on August 17, Bloor stole three lamb joins worth £30 from Iceland.

He pleaded guilty to both charges.

After taking this into account, magistrates decided only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified.

Bloor, who was already on licence for previous offences, was jailed for four weeks.

Magistrates said: “The number and nature of the offences shows that the defendant is operating as a professional criminal - the defendant has a flagrant disregard for people and their property.”

Most recently Bloor was jailed for 48-weeks in May after stealing £1,500 from a Northwich sports club and damaging its gambling machines during a month-long crime wave between March 24 and April 27.