A PROLIFIC Carlisle shoplifter has lost his appeal against a jail term given for more thieving.

Pete Vickers, 42, of Chatsworth Square, was handed a prison sentence and a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) in April for a string of store thefts. This CBO banned him from entering city Shopwatch premises and a garden centre for two years.

But on November 20, Vickers went into Market Hall outlet Wilko with an empty bag he filled before leaving the store minutes later. He’d snatched £76.50 worth of goods including a copper kettle, copper toaster and caffetiere which he intended to sell for food.

“When detained he made the immediately untruthful comment ‘I found the items by the back door’, barrister Tim Evans told Carlisle Crown Court.

Mr Evans’s comments came as Vickers - a man with 208 offences to his name - appealed against the 14-week jail term he received for that theft and CBO breach.

Brendan Burke, for Vickers, described a “troubled man with troubles not only of his own making” following childhood difficulties. Vickers had latterly made limited progress amid contact with his GP and drug recovery service Unity. However, he then learned of threats against him because of a historical drug debt.

“That led to him withdrawing from attending his GP, from Unity or, by the stage of this (Wilko theft) offence, venturing out to obtain benefits,” said Mr Burke, who asked for Vickers’ prison term to be cut short.

“The inevitable consequence of that was immediately relapsing into the behaviour that has been a problem for so long.”

Judge Julie Clemitson, chairing the appeal with two magistrates, was “impressed” by a heartfelt letter written by Vickers. She noted his medication was “back on track” in custody and hoped he would continue to build on his progress when released on licence and subject to post-sentence supervision.

But she concluded: “Regrettably, however, we are unable to allow his appeal.”