A THIEF has been barred from self-service shops until he is sentenced for a string of thefts.

David Smith, aged 42, of Byland Close, Halliwell, who admitted four theft charges, also pleaded guilty to failing to attend a drugs assessment.

Bolton magistrates heard that on December 17 last year he took perfume and aftershave worth £71.50 from Boots. He also stole cognac worth £43.96 from Aldi on February 19, whisky worth £31 from Sainsbury's on February 26 and brandy worth £24.89 from Morrisons.

The case was adjourned until April 19 to give Smith one last chance to attend a probation service meeting at which a pre-sentence report will be compiled.

Isobel Gray, defending, said Smith claimed he had not received a letter asking him to attend a meeting on March 19, which has now been re-arranged for April 3.

Bail conditions imposed by the magistrates bar him from entering any self-service shops.

Ms Gray added that Smith had also contracted hepatitis C and had suffered from deep vein thrombosis due to drug use.