A drug user was jailed for 16 weeks after raiding city shops when his life began "unravelling".
Ashley Fox's problems were outlined at Nottingham Magistrates' Court where he admitted five offences after recently being freed from prison.
Rob Keeble, mitigating, said that Fox had a problem with heroin and was doing well in combating it until he suffered a relapse.
"Not only does he seem to be in a repeat cycle with his offending.
"I saw him in the cells and said things seem to be unravelling.
"He doesn't disagree or put a spin on it. He is withdrawing from heroin at this time," added Mr Keeble.
He urged the magistrates to impose a suspended sentence on Fox, linking this with a drug rehabilitation order run by probation officers.
The court heard that on one occasion, Fox used a fire escape to elude John Lewis staff in the intu Victoria Centre.
But he was caught when he returned to the shop and stole more goods, said Sanjay Jerath, prosecuting.
Security staff chased him down the street and captured Fox, 48, of Lanthwaite Close, Clifton.
Mr Jerath told the court that Fox had 71 offences on his record, with 19 of them linked to dishonesty.
He pleaded guilty to stealing toiletries worth £100 from Wilkinson's on July 15; two diffusers worth £88 from John Lewis on September 19; one diffuser from the same store later that day; stealing £86 worth of fragrances from Boots on October 14.
Fox also admitted failing to pay a £26 taxi fare at Clifton on July 16.
He was ordered to repay the cabbie as well as a £122 government surcharge.
