A serial thief with more than 300 previous convictions has been jailed again for stealing washing powder and meat.
Michael McNally, 32, was ordered to spend three days behind bars in default of paying fines for his latest bouts of shoplifting in Belfast.
District Judge Mark Hamill said: "This is really an exercise in futility."
McNally, of Clifton Park Avenue in the city, has now amassed 329 convictions - including 167 for theft.
He appeared before Belfast Magistrates' Court today charged with stealing washing powder pods valued at £7.70 from Tesco on Royal Avenue in April this year.
A further charge related to the theft of £36 worth of meat from an Iceland store at Brougham Street on Saturday. McNally entered guilty pleas to both offences.
Defence solicitor Pearse MacDermott told the court his client has damaged nerve endings to his brain due to abusing glue in his youth.
"He has a personality disorder and difficulty in understanding and processing societal norms," the lawyer said.
Referring to McNally's previous record, Mr MacDermott added that his thieving was either carried out to sustain himself or to get money to feed his habit.
Judge Hamill imposed a total of £210 in fines for the two new offences - to be paid immediately.
But with McNally unable to meet the financial penalty, he must instead serve three days in prison.
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