A SHOPLIFTER who vowed to change his ways after saying that he was too old to return to prison has avoided a jail sentence.

Michael Shepherd, 39, of Egerton Court, Barrow, pleaded guilty to theft after stealing beer and food worth £18.64 from Co-op in Island Road, Barrow, on October 25.

Mr Andrew Gibson, defending, said his client was drunk at the time of the incident but has since cut down on his drinking and handed himself into police the day after the theft took place.

Shepherd also believed that prison was a "young man's game" so he wanted to keep a clean record to avoid having another stint inside.

Presiding magistrate Robert Fletcher took a dim view of Shepherd's "awful" criminal record but the bench decided to give him a conditional discharge of 12 months.

Mr Fletcher said: "We have been persuaded by Mr Gibson and it does seem at least that the penny might have dropped with you and if you can keep down on your alcohol then you may not offend as often or at all.

"Stay out of trouble for 12 months. It is a long period and you have not achieved that for some time but we are putting on notice that you have learnt your lesson."

Shepherd must also pay compensation of £18.64, a victim surcharge of £30 and court costs of £85.

READ MORE: Repeat offender stole power tool from B&Q on the day he was due in Barrow court on burglary charge

Barrow shoplifter avoids jail sentence as magistrates gives her a chance to reform

Serial vodka thief from Barrow stole supermarket bottles to fund drug habit