A career crook with 150 offences to his name has walked free from court despite admitting to stealing again.
Light-fingered Robert Gray helped himself to over £200 of booze and air fresheners from Asda by snipping off the security tags.
But Magistrates only ordered for him to repay the supermarket chain for the broken £19.99 tags.
The 47-year-old serial thief struck shortly after being released from an 18 month prison sentence.
North Tyneside Magistrates' Court heard over half of his offences were for theft while he also has previous for fraud.
But his solicitor claimed he was hung out to dry by the system after being released earlier this year.
"He's released with his release money of just £42," said Liz Dunbar, mitigating.
"He only found out the night before (his release) where he was going to stay.
"Because he didn't have accommodation, he couldn't sort out his benefits.
"And he found himself with literally no money - no money for electric, gas, and certainly no money to feed himself.
"Out of desperation he goes to this store and commits a shop theft."
She added that Gray is now back on his feet, and currently receives £240-a-month in Universal Credit.
Gray, who now has "steady accommodation" on Heaton Hall Road in Heaton, pleaded guilty to the May 23 shop theft.
But Wednesday's sentencing heard he was still on licence when the theft occurred.
However probation said he had been "engaging well" since his release and branded the theft a minor blip as he aims to turn his life around.
His total compensation bill for the three broken tags was £59.97.
