A SERIAL shoplifter repeatedly returned to the Tesco supermarket in Alloa to help himself in a spate of thefts.

The culprit was 37-year-old drug addict Alexander Coyle, of Stanton Avenue, Alloa.

He appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court by video-link from prison.

Coyle repeatedly targeted the Tesco store in Auld Brig Road.

Between August 16 and September 9, he stole confectionary, a quantity of candles, toys and fragrances, gift sets, more candles and two bottles of aftershave.

He also stole from Farmfoods, Shillinghill, Alloa, on August 25.

Depute fiscal Sean Iles said the overall value of the stolen goods was around £500 and there was no recovery.

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Defence solicitor Michael Lowrie said: “It will come as no surprise that he’s a long-term drug addict and the offences were committed to fund his drug-taking.”

He added that Coyle was surprised he had not simply been jailed at the previous hearing when a sheriff called for reports.

Sheriff Neil Bowie decided not to jail Coyle, imposing a community payback order with 18 months of supervision and drug treatment as directed.

However, he warned Coyle if he breached the order he would be going to prison.