A PROLIFIC thief with 70 previous convictions has been spared prison after a two-month shoplifting spree.

Michael James Lee Rooney, 40, of Church Street, Barrow, appeared before Furness Magistrates' Court yesterday where he pleaded guilty to five counts of theft.

From June to August, Rooney stole hundreds of pounds worth of items from supermarket chains Asda, Tesco and the Co-op.

During this spate of thefts, Rooney stole two boxes of washing tablets and 12 hard drives.

The court heard that Rooney had been captured on CCTV, which showed him running out of the shops on several occasions.

Prosecutor Mr Peter Kelly told magistrates that on August 28, when trying to steal the washing tablets from the Ainslee Street branch of the Co-op, Rooney was stopped by an off-duty police officer and arrested.

Mr Tristan Roberts, defending, said his client had committed the offences during a "low ebb" in his life.

He said: "On these occasions, he had had his benefits stopped. He has gone through a government assessment. He is appealing that."

The magistrates sentenced Rooney to 28 days in prison, suspended for 12 months.

Rooney was also ordered to pay £500 in compensation but was not ordered to pay court costs, or a victim surcharge due to his financial situation.