Serial shoplifter, 40, swiped 17 tubes of Pringles in string of thefts told police 'once you pop, you can't stop' after he was arrested

A serial shoplifter, who swiped 17 tubes of Pringles in a string of thefts, told police 'once you pop, you can't stop' after he was arrested.

Adam Spencer was stopped by police in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, after officers spotted the prolific thief on Tuesday.

In questioning, the 40-year-old shoplifter admitted to grabbing numerous tins of the popular crisps in a shop raid and quoted the brand's slogan in his confession, joking 'once you pop, you can't stop'.

Spencer has now avoided jail time after admitting to two counts of burglary and three counts of theft at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

He was sentenced to a six-month prison term, suspended for a year, and was ordered to pay £200 in compensation and complete a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement programme.

Police said that the series of thefts began at Tesco on Alfreton Road on April 11 before moving to Asda on Priestsic Road six days later.

On May 2, Spencer broke through the back door of Iceland, also on Priestsic Road, before stealing meat products.

He then returned two hours later and stole more than £300 worth of stock. He came back to the store for another theft on May 19.

PC Dean Fenton, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: 'The actions of prolific thieves like Spencer can have a really negative impact on communities who don't want to see their stores targeted again and again.

'Shoplifting isn't a victimless crime. These offences hurt businesses, affect people's livelihoods and can ultimately result in shoppers having to pay more for items as prices go up as a result.

'Burglary is also a very serious offence so we were pleased to be able to link Spencer to the two he was involved in, as well as the shop thefts, and put him before the courts.'

In a statement the force said: 'Officers from the county priority tasking team were on patrol in Sutton-in-Ashfield when they saw Adam Spencer.

'Realising Spencer was wanted for a series of burglaries and shop thefts, they tried to arrest him at the roadside in Lammas Road.

'After hopping on his pushbike and trying to cycle away, the 40-year-old didn't get far before the officers running after him caught up.

'Spencer was recognised by the officers on Tuesday (28 May), as the county priority tasking team were investigating him at that point for multiple offences against shops.'

They added: 'Two of these took place in the early hours of the same morning on 2 May, with Spencer burgling an Iceland, in Priestsic Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield.

'After breaking in through a back door at 2.40am and stealing meat products, the thief then returned around 4.20am and stole more than £300 worth of stock.

'Either side of these two burglaries, Spencer also helped himself to items from three other stores in Sutton-in-Ashfield during a series of shop thefts.

'The first happened on 11 April at Tesco, in Alfreton Road, with the shoplifter then targeting the Priestsic Road-based Asda and Iceland stores on 17 April and 19 May.

'He took 17 pots of Pringles during one of the thefts, which Spencer later admitted to when questioned by police - telling them "once you pop, you can't stop".'