A JUDGE told a thief that he must "obviously have expensive tastes" after the defendant admitted stealing pricey bottles of spirits.

Mark Carey appeared before Judge John Harrow at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, July 10, to be sentenced for burglary and theft.

The 46-year-old defendant, of Rowan Drive in Poole, admitted raiding My Salon in Parkstone Road on the night of April 22 this year, as well as stealing whiskey and rum from Marks & Spencer in the Dolphin Centre on dates in February.

The combined total cost of the bottles reached £98.

Carey has 36 convictions for 101 offences.

In total, 53 of the offences were thefts.

The court heard that the defendant was told by another that the back door of the hairdressers was "weak", and that he had pulled it until it opened before entering the business and stealing between £100 and £140.

Judge Harrow was also asked to sentence Carey for the thefts from Marks & Spencer.

The defendant was handed a 12 month community order, which features a rehabilitation activity requirement, as well as 100 hours of unpaid work.

"It seems you were beginning to make positive progress," said Judge Harrow.

"You were homeless when you committed this offence. You have a long way to go yet. You will not be going to prison on this occasion."