A man who twice stole about £300 of Easter eggs from a Cheshire store was caught out when he tried the theft for a third time.

Mark Sutcliffe, 43, of Cardew Avenue, Manchester, pleaded guilty to two counts of shoplifting from Sainsbury's in Macclesfield and one of attempted theft from the same store.

Chester Magistrates Court heard on Friday, February 16 that Sutcliffe had stolen about £300 of Easter eggs from the store on January 30, repeating the theft of Easter eggs to about the same value on February 1.

Sutcliffe admitted attempting to steal a further selection of Easter eggs, again to the value of about £300, on February 8.

The defendant, who was already on two community orders, was spared prison as it was deemed there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

He was handed a six-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. During that time he must complete up to 35 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement to include the Thinking Skills programme, and complete 150 hours of unpaid work. 

He must also pay £600 compensation and £120 court costs.