A SERIAL shoplifter who targeted convenience stores has been spared prison.

Paul Tucker raided Co-op stores in Whitehawk Road and Lewes Road in Brighton.

During a two-month spree of offences he also stole from Superdrug stores,

The 39-year-old appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court where he admitted 13 new counts of shoplifting in February, March and April this year, worth more than £1,300.

He was already subject to a community order following nine previous shop thefts in January, including a £774 theft from Hollister at Churchill Square.

District judge Tessa Szagun decided not to send Tucker to prison, imposing an eight-month suspended sentence. Instead she ordered him to complete nine months of treatment for his drug dependency, and put him under curfew for four months.

Tucker, of Findon Road, Brighton, must remain indoors between 9pm and 6am daily.