A THIEF with a 'flagrant disregard' for other peoples property has been jailed after going on a stealing spree in M&S.

Christopher Lynam, of no fixed abode, but with links to Gorton in Manchester, stole more than £1,000 worth of food and drink from the Wilmslow store.

The 27-year-old carried out his spree over the course of several visits to the store.

He was jailed for a total of 36 weeks, after he admitted to seven charges of stealing various items of food and drink worth £1,246.25.

Lynam was appearing at Chester Magistrates Court on Wednesday, May 18.

The court heard how he had first made a unpaid visit to the store on April 4, where he stole alcohol worth £233.50.

He returned just weeks later (on April 30) where he again helped himself to booze without paying for it, this time the items taken were worth £150.

However, it was during May he began to ramp up his hits on the store, making five visits in the space of just one week (between May 9 and 16).

In reasoning their 36-week sentence, magistrates told Lynam 'only a custodial sentence can be justified' and that he had shown a 'flagrant disregard for people and their property'.

He was jailed for four weeks for each of the seven thefts, which will all be served consecutively.

Magistrates also handed Lynam an eight-week consecutive sentence for breaching the terms of a criminal behaviour order.

He had been barred from Castle Street in Stockport but ignored that over three days in January.