A man described by a judge as having an "appalling record" has been jailed for a series of thefts from shops.

John Webster also used the name of a friend when he was arrested and Chelmsford Crown Court was told how he also drove a car when he did not have a licence.

Webster, 34, formerly of Stevens Walk, Colchester, but now of no fixed address, admitted four counts of shoplifting, a common assault on a shop manageress, driving without a licence and no insurance and three charges of failing to surrender, when he appeared in court for sentence.

Judge Brian Watling QC yesterday (Wednesday) jailed him for a total of three years.

The court heard Webster was involved in a road accident at Church Hill, Ramsey, near Harwich, last February, and police later discovered he did not have a licence.

Webster was bailed but the court heard he was caught shoplifting at Dillon's on the Greenstead estate, Colchester, Cash Converters, the Co-op in Old Heath and Ernest Doe's over the next few months.

He also assaulted the manageress of Dillon's as she tried to stop him leaving the shop in November last year, the court heard.

Martin McArdle, mitigating, said Webster had a serious drug problem and the offences were carried out to pay for his heroin habit.

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