A PERSISTENT thief smuggled a flat-screen TV into his jacket as he tried to steal it from Woolworths.

Paul Vail, aged 33, of Arnsby Grove, Tonge Moor, was spotted by a customer as he tried to conceal the £250 LCD screen, in the town centre store, around noon on March 3.

The store manager reclaimed the TV and Vail was detained by security staff before police came to arrest him.

He tested positive for opiates in a police drug test.

Vail has 118 previous convictions, 69 of which are for theft and lie offences.

He pleaded guilty at Bolton Magistrates Court to attempted theft.

He was made the subject of a community service order, including supervision and drug rehabilitation elements. He was ordered to pay £43 costs.