A PROLIFIC thief banned from every shop in Swindon will be sentenced next week for stealing a charity tin at Royal Wootton Bassett's Christmas event.

Mark Thirkettle, 42, of The Maltings, Royal Wootton Bassett, was arrested yesterday afternoon for breaching bail conditions as he attempted to sell a mobile phone at Cash Generator, in Bridge Street, Swindon.

On 14 December, Thirkettle was seen by two off-duty officers at the Christmas shopping event in Royal Wootton Bassett attempting to make off with a charity box.

When they tried to arrest him both were assaulted.

Having already been on police radar for a number of further offences that month, including shoplifting on four occasions and failing to appear at court, a total of five offences of theft and two assaults were put to Thirkettle at Swindon Magistrates' Court today.

After pleading guilty to all offences he will now be sentenced on Monday morning in Chippenham.

Nick Barr, prosecuting, told the court Thirkettle should remain under orders to stay out of all shops in the Swindon borough except one.

“I am aware that the defendant is awaiting sentence for a number of other matters including four separate offences,” he said.

“On 14 December there is an offence of theft where a charity box is stolen and two police officers are assaulted in the process. Separate offences on 15 December of theft include two incidents of shoplifting. There are a further two offences of shoplifting from an earlier date.

“The condition of bail we are concerned with is for him not to go to any retail premises except for a newsagent in Royal Wootton Bassett. On 27 December the defendant enters Cash Generator in Swindon town centre in order to sell what appears to be a mobile phone which he owned.

“CCTV from the store is clear and the defendant was therefore arrested at 2.45pm yesterday.

“He admitted the breach and no further offence was committed. He did not believe this particular store was a retail premise and had simply gone in to sell his phone.”

Mark Glendenning, defending, said Thirkettle would not commit any further breaches before his sentencing.

“The difficulty with Mr Thirkettle is he has these bail conditions,” he said.

“He in his own mind regards Cash Generator not as a retail premises. He sees it as a money lending shop, but he is fully aware now that he should not have been in there.”

Thirkettle is due to appear before Chippenham magistrates at 10am on Monday, where he will be sentenced for all matters.