A 'PROLIFIC' thief has been banned from all Boots stores after stealing thousands of pounds worth of cosmetics, a court heard.

John Robert Milligan, aged 38, appeared in Weymouth Magistrates Court on Thursday, March 17, and pleaded guilty to six counts of theft from the same Dorchester town centre Boots store.

Prosecuting, Charles Nightingale, said that in total the value of cosmetics stolen from the Boots by Milligan was in excess of £2,500.

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Mr Nightingale said: "Each of these offences took place at the same Boots shop on Cornhill in Dorchester."

The court heard that Milligan, of High East Street, Dorchester, entered the store on six separate occasions between September 22 and October 27 last year and on each occasion stole 'high value' cosmetics which he concealed in a bag or in his clothing.

Mr Nightingale said the defendant was known to security staff at the store by name and was 'clearly' recognised on CCTV.

He added: "He seems to have moved to target the Boots in Dorchester having committed a number of offences at the Superdrug for which he received a ban.

"He has become a prolific offender as the record shows, particularly in relation to burglaries.

"I believe the defendant has since been banned from all branches of Boots."

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Milligan was also in breach of three conditional discharge orders at the times.

Mitigating, Des Reynolds said: "In terms of previous convictions we have a long list.

"A striking feature in his record is that the offences become less serious in the last couple of years."

Mr Reynolds said Milligan had been in a two-year relationship with a supportive partner, which he said had seemed to make a 'massive difference'.

He said Milligan had quite a long history of drug abuse problems. Mr Reynolds said Milligan was no longer taking heroine or cocaine, but still had a problem with cannabis, which he was using to self medicate.

Chair of the bench, Callum Bremner, adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report.

Milligan is to appear in Weymouth Magistrates Court for sentencing on April 28. He is currently on unconditional bail.

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