A PROLIFIC shoplifter has admitted a string of thefts in Southend and Hadleigh as he ignored an order banning him from two stores.

Tommy Collinson, 37, appeared before magistrates in Southend a day after being spotted on CCTV and arrested in Western Esplanade by a sharp-eyed police officer.

Southend Magistrates' Court heard he’d stolen a total of £804.96 of goods, including meat, cheese, coffee, laundry detergent and engine oil, from three stores in Southend and Hadleigh, breaching suspended jail sentences imposed in April this year, July last year and l last April.

Collinson targeted the Co-op in Sutton Road, Southend, six times and the BP garage in London Road, Hadleigh, once, from May 16 up until last Sunday.

This was in breach of a criminal behaviour order handed to him last April. He also stole from the BP garage in West Street, Southend, on seven other occasions.

Collinson also admitted refusing a mandatory Class A drugs test in custody, under Essex Police's drug test on arrest scheme.

He was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced at Basildon Crown Court during the week beginning August 26.

Southend's town centre policing team launched Operation Raker last year to target prolific repeat offenders, including shoplifters who steal in order to fund an addiction.

Under the drug test on arrest scheme, detainees are required to take a saliva test for cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin if officers believe these drugs have contributed to the crime or if they have been arrested for acquisitive crimes, such as shop theft, burglary, robbery and fraud, or certain drug offences.