A 43 YEAR old man who caught the bus to do some Christmas shoplifting in Skipton has been jailed for 12 weeks.

Sean Kellet travelled to Skipton from Bradford on December 21 where he attempted to steal £340 of perfume from Boots in the High Street, heard Skipton Magistrates Court on Friday.

The court heard he intended to sell some of the eight gift sets because he had not received any benefits and needed the money to buy food for Christmas, and to give the others to family members as presents.

Kellett, who was the subject of a community order at the time and on licence after being released from prison, was stopped by a member of the public who kept hold of him until the police arrived.

He made full admissions to the police and the perfume was recovered.

Kellett, who admitted theft, had a long offending history, mostly of theft. He had used drugs since he was 16 years old and after being released from prison last year had struggled to make ends meet, the court heard in mitigation.

Magistrates told Kellet, of Coventry Street, Bradford that he was being sent to prison because of his ‘wilful failure’ to comply with previous court orders.

In addition to his 12 weeks in prison, he will have to pay a £122 surcharge and after he is released, he will be subject to 12 months supervision.