An Isle of Wight shoplifter must pay almost £1,000 in compensation after a theft spree saw him steal a barbeque, make-up, and Yankee Candles while on licence from prison.

Andrew Hill, 34, of Slade Road, Ryde, attended the IW Magistrates’ Court on September 20 after previously pleading guilty to four counts of theft from a shop.

Lauren McConnell, prosecuting, said the 34-year-old visited Asda in Newport on April 15 and put a barbeque, valued at £299, into a trolley in the foyer, left the trolley, walked around the store, then collected the trolley at the exit and left.

On May 16, Hill stole make-up worth £200 from Tesco in Ryde, the court heard.

Ms McConnell told magistrates Hill returned to Ryde Tesco on May 23 and stole a razor, two greeting cards and pork steaks, to the value of £78.75.

Hill was caught on June 8 after he stole 18 Yankee Candles, worth £350, from Sainsbury's in Newport.

The court heard that Hill changed his clothes and returned to the supermarket shortly after but was greeted by management at the entrance.

Ms McConnell told the court Hill committed 159 offences between 2000 and 2022, and, at the time of the four thefts, he was on licence after being sentenced to 30 months in prison in November 2022 for multiple offences.

Nick Muir, defending, said his client is a man who is making good progress after being released from prison in January and returning to the Island homeless.

Mr Muir told magistrates Hill is “fairly stable” living with his mother, and is “not currently taking any drugs,” adding that his client has been clean for six to eight weeks.

Magistrates handed Hill an 18-month community order and ordered him to complete 75 hours of unpaid work and complete 25 rehabilitation days.

Hill must also pay a combined £927.75 to Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury's.