A THIEF will be sentenced next month after hitting shops across Ludlow and Herefordshire in a string of offences.
Tom Rutter entered a guilty plea to 23 counts of theft from a shop and two counts of burglary when he appeared before magistrates in Kidderminster in August.
The court heard from prosecutor Eleanor Peart that the 24-year-old had stolen items including baby food, washing powder, beer, Champagne, prosecco, vodka, whiskey, electric toothbrushes, food, and clothing in 25 thefts and two burglaries committed between January and August The items had been stolen from Tesco, Sainsbury's, One Stop, Spar, and Second Chance shops in Ludlow, while he had also stolen goods from Leominster's Co-op and Factory Shop, and Church Stretton's Co-op shop, the court was told.
The total value of the goods stolen added up to several hundred pounds.
The case was adjourned for a pre-sentencing report to be carried out by the probation service and Rutter, who is of no fixed address, was released on unconditional bail.
He will appear before magistrates in Kidderminster next for sentencing on September 1.
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