A SKIPTON man stole nearly £800 of mainly Vodka from Tesco Supermarket at various times in just under a month, heard the town's magistrates.

Between January 8 and February 5 this year, James Reynoldson, 26, took £783.75p of grocery items including alcohol and a loaf of bread, from the Craven Street store.

On January 8 he paid two visits to Tesco, taking three bottles of vodka, valued at £116, and two bottles of vodka, valued at £83, the court heard.

At Skipton Magistrates Court today (Friday) , Reynoldson admitted six charges of theft from a shop.

In addition to the two thefts on January 8, they included the theft of five bottles of Vodka, valued at £120, on February 5; three bottles of Vodka and a loaf of bread, £86.90, on January 15; four bottles of Vodka, £132, on January 12, and £245.85 of alcohol on January 18.

The court heard all had been recorded on the store's CCTV and on some occasions Reynoldson had left the premises via its fire escape.

He was identified on the CCTV footage by a police officer and when interviewed offered no comment, said prosecutor Nadine Clough.

Probation officer Andrew Watson said Reynoldson had struggled to cope following the death of his mother in 2022 followed by the death of his father, who he had lived with.

He was receiving help for his mental health and had not worked for two years, said Mr Watson.

Following the death of his parents, he had turned to drink as a coping mechanism and when he had committed the thefts, had been consuming a bottle of spirits a day.

Most of what he had stolen had been for his own use, although there had also been a financial motive, said Mr Watson.

His mental health was now improving however, and he had not been drinking for a month. He regretted his actions and understood the impact of theft on shops and how losses were passed on to customers.

Reynoldson, who lives in supported accommodation at Pinder House, Keighley Road, Skipton, was sentenced to a 12 month community order with up to 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He will also have to pay compensation of £245 to Tesco. Magistrates made no order for costs or a surcharge.