Magistrates have told a prolific Isle of Wight offender that he will ‘return to custody’ if he keeps shoplifting.

Jason Blake, of High Street, Ryde, attended the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on Friday, May 10, and pleaded guilty to theft from a shop and resisting an officer in the execution of their duty.

Lauren Stone, prosecuting, said the 37-year-old entered Co-op on Pier Street in Ventnor at 5.58pm on May 8, picked up a basket and filled it with Absolut Vodka, Tequila Rose, Kraken Rum and Pepsi before leaving without paying.

Ms Stone told the court Blake returned to the shop at 9.17pm and stole Smirnoff Vodka, Kraken Rum and Pepsi.

The amount stolen during the two visits totalled £139.70, with both occasions captured on CCTV.

Blake was arrested later the same evening following a separate domestic incident and resisted being put into the back of a police van, said Ms Stone.

Blake was handed a suspended sentence in February, which he breached and was jailed for 12 weeks in March. He was released under licence on April 18.

Michael McGoldrick, defending, said his client struggles with an alcohol addiction.

Mr McGoldrick told the court that upon Blake’s release from prison, he was moved to Portsmouth but quickly moved back to the Island, which caused complications for him obtaining his mental health and alcohol withdrawal medication. 

Police were able to secure Blake’s medication on the day when he was arrested. 

Magistrates told Blake: “You can’t keep continuing to shoplift and go unpunished. We could have sent you to custody today.

“I think if you go shoplifting again this weekend, you will likely return to custody.”

Blake was ordered to pay a £120 fine, a £48 surcharge and £139.70 compensation to the Co-op.