TWO Isle of Wight offenders were caught shoplifting from the same Co-operative store four times in order to fund their drug habits.  

Billy Chilcott and Matthew Oxley, of Green Street, Ryde, appeared before Isle of Wight magistrates on Friday, May 10.

The pair admitted four counts of theft, in Ryde, between January 26 and February 14.

Prosecutor, Lauren Stone, said Chilcott, 29, and Oxley, 37, stole goods from the Co-operative on West Street on four occasions.

She said one held a bag open while the other placed items inside and left without paying.

They were caught on CCTV stealing goods worth £58.45.

The court heard Chilcott had 46 previous convictions for 88 offences, while Oxley had eight previous convictions for nine offences.

Ms Stone said the pair acted together and the goods were not recovered.

Oscar Vincent, defending, said Chilcott was recently hospitalised with sepsis which required surgery and he and Oxley had since self-referred themselves to Inclusion.  

He said the pair were extremely frank in admitting they had a cocaine habit and were stealing to fund that habit.

He said they had both been substance-free since the end of February.

The pair were fined £140 and ordered to pay £29.02 compensation, costs of £42.50 and a £56 surcharge.