A PROLIFIC thief who cheered when he avoided jail at the weekend was jailed for 18 weeks when he was caught shoplifting AGAIN just hours later.

On Saturday Andrew Hackett was freed after admitting shoplifting but then left court to steal £113.89 worth of goods from Barrow's TK Maxx.

The 30-year-old cheered and shouted "Get in!" and "Thank you, sir" as magistrates electronically tagged him and was heard singing and cheering as he was released at the weekend.

The Rawlinson Street resident was picked up by police just a few hours later for a further offence of stealing and hauled back before the court yesterday.

Initially Hackett pleaded guilty at Furness Magistrates' Court to shoplifting items from Tesco and Aldi in Barrow last Friday.

He was caught taking perfume sets and hiding them in a Spiderman bag from B&M before taking seven jars of Nescafe coffee from Aldi, worth £34.23.

Hackett continued his theft spree by taking two bottles of wine from Tesco worth £19 later that day.

On Saturday Mr Michael Graham, defending, said Hackett was worried he was going to be evicted from his home and thought he could raise some money by stealing.

Presiding magistrate Robert Swales ordered him to be placed on an electronic curfew from 6am until 6pm starting that day and lasting eight weeks. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge.

Hackett wished everyone a good day and left.

Yesterday he was back before the court and sent to prison for 18 weeks. Magistrates revoked the initial order and gave him six weeks in jail and a further 12 for the most recent offence. He was also told to pay a £115 victim surcharge.