A SHOPLIFTER with an 'appalling' record of convictions travelled to Skipton from Bradford with a 'shopping list' of items to steal, heard magistrates.

Paul Cox, 42, made four trips to Skipton between September and November last year during which time he stole a total of £234 of goods from Next and Toyland, next to each other in Albion Place, Jerry Croft.

Items included three soft teddies, with a total value of £29 from Toyland and a £30 Super Mario teddy, also from Toyland, Skipton Magistrates Court was told on Friday.

Cox, who the court heard had 30 previous offences, including 53 for theft, was given a suspended prison sentence of 12 weeks, which the chief magistrate stressed had not been suspended because of the current overcrowding in prisons, and which had been brought up during mitigation by his solicitor.

In court on Friday, Cox admitted stealing three soft teddies to the value of £29 from Toyland, Skipton, on November 12 and a Super Mario teddy to the value of £30 from Toyland on September 26. The three £26 teddies were recovered by police.

He also admitted stealing clothing valued at £55 from Next on November 1 and more clothing from Next on October 8 to the value of £120.

The court heard that Cox had been stealing items to order and when arrested had a 'shopping list' in his pocket along with three soft teddies from Toyland.

In mitigation, Scott Mclaughlin, said Cox had been a 'dedicated' offender in the past, but had appeared in court in Skipton sober, which had been something of a change in his experience.

He said Cox had drunk to excess but there had been a 'showdown' with his partner which had led to him to get his drinking under control.

"If he is not drinking, he does not need to offend," said Mr Mclaughlin.

In addition to the prison sentence, which was suspended for a year, Cox, of Sutton Road, Bradford, was ordered to pay compensation of £175 to Next and £30 to Toyland.

The chief magistrate described Cox's record as 'appalling' and added in relation to the suspended prison sentence "overcrowding (in prisons) has not been a factor, our decision would have been the same."

Magistrates made no order for costs or surcharge after being told Cox had £1,982 outstanding in court fines and costs.