A THIEF banned from shops has been put back behind bars after going in a budget store and putting packets of rice down his pants.

Alan Kendrick,  47, was given a two-year criminal behaviour order earlier this year with conditions not to enter any of the shops which are part of the Shop Watch schemes in Whitehaven and Workington.

But on two occasions this month, he entered Home Bargains in Workington to steal savoury rice and nuts, and then became abusive to staff who confronted him.

Kendrick admitted three breaches of a criminal behaviour order, two charges of theft from a shop and one charge of using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress, when he appeared before Workington Magistrates’ Court.

Outlining the case, prosecutor Pamela Fee said on November 7, Kendrick entered Home Bargains in Workington and put packets of savoury rice down his pants before attempting to leave the store.

He was challenged and then gave the items back.

Then on November 19, a member of staff saw Kendrick enter the store and told him he wasn’t allowed in. He said he was and told the staff member she was ‘nothing but a ****’.

There were several children in the shop at the time. He had some nuts on his person, which he had not paid for.

Kendrick was silent throughout the course of his police interview.

Ms Fee said Kendrick had a number of theft convictions and was ‘not doing particularly well’ with the criminal behaviour order.

He was given a four-month jail term earlier this year for breaching the order.

John Cooper, defending, said: “He knows it’s going to be a custodial sentence. I would be stretching it to get up and ask for a community order.

“The packet rice was recovered and put back on the shelves.

“It’s guilty pleas at the first opportunity. Obviously, not the best record. There’s not much more I can add.”

Kendrick, of Bowness Court, Workington, was jailed for a total of 24 weeks. He must pay £3.20 in compensation to Home Bargains upon release from prison.