Newark man arrested by Nottinghamshire Police appears at Nottingham Magistrates Court for theft of Asda, Co-op, Morrisons stores in Lombard Street, Albert Street, Barnbygate and Kings Road in Newark

A shoplifter who swiped a set of garden gnomes from a store has appeared in court.

Andrew Woolley targeted four different stores in Newark as part of a series of thefts in the space of a couple of weeks.

The first incident saw the thief make his way into Asda, in Lombard Street, at around 10.45pm on June 28.

He then grabbed a set of garden gnomes from a shelf before fleeing without paying.

Woolley then targeted two Co-op stores in Albert Street and Barnbygate on July 5 and July 6 respectively.

Meat products were stolen during both incidents, with the thief also making off with cleaning products from the Barnbygate store.

He then smuggled bottles of alcohol into a bag in Morrisons, in Kings Road, at around 9.15pm on July 17, before again walking out without paying.

Woolley’s offences soon came to light when he was brought in by response officers for an unrelated offence and questioned about the series of thefts.

The 35-year-old was subsequently charged with four counts of theft — something he admitted to during an appearance at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (July 20).

Woolley, of Northgate, Newark, was released on bail and will reappear at the same court for sentencing on August 15.

PC Lexi Fielding, said: “Shoplifting can be hugely damaging to businesses and to customers too, as they are ultimately the ones left to pay higher prices as a result.

“These thefts directly impact on people’s livelihoods and can cause real misery for residents.

“That’s why we take these reports so seriously and why the force works closely with our partners and local businesses to prevent shoplifting and to try and help those who do carry out these offences to change their ways.

“We are pleased to see that Woolley has now owned up to his actions.”