A thief who stole chocolates, coffee and savoury pastries from a petrol station has narrowly avoided jail.

Bill Winsbury walked into a BP garage in Canterbury Road, Margate and put the items under his coat before walking out without paying.

The 39-year-old was later arrested and charged with shoplifting and admitted the offence when he appeared at Margate Magistrates' Court on Thursday, March 2.

The court heard Winsbury, who gave an address of Victoria Road, Margate when he appeared in the dock, took three tins of Lily Coffee, multiple packs of feta cheese and herb pastries, a box of Celebrations and two boxes of Lindt on January 8.

He was arrested a couple of weeks later after being identified on CCTV footage from the garage.

Dylan Bradshaw, prosecuting, told the bench Winsbury had previous convictions for similar matters, had previously been jailed for shoplifting and had at least 51 previous convictions.

Mr Bradshaw added: "He went into the BP garage and put the groceries under his coat and left without paying.

"In November last year he was given 14 days for a theft offence and conviction 51 was for an assault matter, so dissimilar."

Magistrates were also told Winsbury had drug and alcohol misuse issues, had often lived on the streets and had been recalled to prison and released just weeks ago.

However, he now had a girlfriend, who sat at the back of the court during the hearing, who was said to be a positive influence on him and he had been drinking less since he met her.

He was also hoping to start working soon on building sites as while in prison has manage to obtain his CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) card.

Magistrates jailed Winsbury for 60 days for the offence but suspended the term for 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £128 and £85 costs, but there was no order to compensate the garage as the value amount for the stolen goods was not known.