Ski jackets worth hundreds of pounds were stolen by a prolific shoplifter with dozens of previous offences.  

Robert Scarles-Cole targeted Mountain Warehouse in Norwich city centre on two occasions on September 16 and 21. 

Norwich Magistrates’ Court heard he had carried the high value jackets, worth more than £700, out of the store and had been wearing another when he was arrested. 

The 37-year-old, of Bowman Road in Norwich, pleaded guilty to two counts of shop theft and also admitted a third offence over the theft of bottles of wine and vodka from Asda on September 2. 

The court was told he has 47 previous convictions for 85 offences including 25 of theft. 

READ MORE: Calls for scourge of shoplifting to be tackled in Norwich

Emma Lloyd, mitigating, said he previously had a skilled architectural job but had slipped into alcohol issues after losing employment.

He was now seeking support from groups including the Matthew Project.

“He is not perfect. He does make mistakes but he is extremely apologetic,” she added.

Magistrates ordered him to pay compensation of £767 and £70 costs. He already has £703 in outstanding fines.