A REPEAT shoplifter who stole hundreds of pounds of fragrances from a Chester store has been jailed.

Paul James Lipson, 57, of Faversham Road, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to stealing £778 of fragrances from Boots in Foregate Street, Chester.

After hearing that Lipson had nearly 100 previous convictions, many of them for shoplifting, magistrates at Chester Magistrates Court on Tuesday, January 25 imposed an immediate 16-week prison sentence.

Prosecuting, Alan Currums said it was at about 1.15pm on December 31, 2021 when Lipson was spotted going to the perfume counter at Boots, taking bottles of perfume, then going back and forth between the payment tills and the perfume counter, collecting more bottles, before leaving without paying.

Lipson was confronted about the shoplifting and found to have £423 of perfumes and aftershave items on him.

An investigation found Lipsno had earlier been to the store and stole further items before placing them in a nearby bin outside.

The total value of the items stolen was £778, and all the items were recovered intact.

Lipson told police officers his intention was to sell the items, as he had no money in the bank and had made no attempt to pay.

The proceeds from the sale were to pay off a debt, but he did not divulge what sort of debt that was.

Mr Currums added Lipson had 97 previous convictions, with "lots" for shoplifting.

A probation officer said Lipson was "well known" to the probation services, and had continued offending due to a drug issue.

It was accepted Lipson needed support, but it did not stop him reoffending.

"When looking at the amount of rehabilitation over the years, it's just not working, frankly," the probation officer told the court.

Lipson, defending himself, said he had stolen as he was in debt and did not want bailiffs coming to his house.

He said he had done "the wrong thing", but added he had been out of trouble for nearly two years.

Chair of magistrates Ian Knight said: "Your record has shown that the alternatives [to custody] do not work."

Lipson was sentenced to 16 weeks in jail and ordered to pay a £128 victim surcharge.