A MAN targeted Booths stores and stole goods valued at more than £1,600 from their shops in Lancashire.

Neil Rogers, aged 45, of Furness Avenue, Grange Park, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to nine charges of theft.

He also admitted breaching a suspended prison sentence by failing to comply with a curfew.

The court was told Rogers had stolen alcohol groceries and toiletries from Booths stores at Poulton, Lancaster and Clitheroe between May and July this year.

On one occasion he struck at the Blackpool branch of Boots stealing £59 worth of fragrances.

Trevor Colebourne, defending, said his client, who had complex mental health issues, had signed himself out of Blackpool Victoria Hospital in order to be present at court.

Blackpool magistrates agreed to the defence application for pre-sentence reports on Rogers and adjourned the case.