A SERIAL thief who stole more than £2,000 worth of goods including garden furniture and coffee machines argued his crimes were a “cry for help”.

Roger Moore seized 181 items when he targeted Currys, B&M Bargains and Sainsbury’s stores in Stanway during the brazen raids on April 20.

Ipswich Crown Court heard 83 items were stolen from B&M including groceries, toiletries and garden furniture, to the value of £679.31, by Moore, 52.

On the same date 96 goods worth £675.41 were taken by the crook from Sainsbury’s, in West Approach, and two coffee machines seized from Currys worth a total of £129.98.

The court heard Moore, of Hythe Quay, Colchester, also stole alcohol and fragrance items worth £596.42.

The prosecution added Moore has also admitted stalking a woman between June and August of last year.

Moore argued the context of this offence was him trying to apologise to an ex-partner, something he regretted “with all my heart”.

Moore admitted six counts of theft and single counts of stalking and failing to surrender to police custody. 

Judge Emma Peters requested the prosecution provide a victim personal impact statement for his crimes and adjourned Moore’s sentencing to next week.