A MAN slammed for having the worst record a magistrate had seen is back behind bars.

Damian Wisedale, of Museum Street, was handed an eight week prison sentence at Halton Magistrates Court after stealing more than £70 worth of coffee on October 5 from Co-Op in Warrington.

This is will be his 57th conviction after previously racking up 56 convictions for 117 offences.
The court heard how Wisedale had only been out of prison for a matter of weeks when he stole the jars of coffee.

But defending, Keith Porter said he has recently tried to turn his life around and has willing signed up to AA to tackle his drink problem.

He added: "He is no stranger to prison which you can see from his record and, since he was last released from prison, he has been making an effort not to go back there.

"The incident happened when he had no money but this is not an excuse." 

Chairman of the magistrates Fraser Geekie said he had no choice but to send him to prison, adding this was the worst record he had seen in court.

He added: "Clearly you are a habitual thief. This offence was committed very soon after you were released from prison."

A warrant had also been issued for his arrest on Tuesday after the 32-year-old failed to term up to court on time, arriving in the afternoon for his morning hearing.

Public transport was blamed for his delayed arrival and the warrant was consequently withdrawn.