A sentencing magistrate told drug user Gary Ryan, who has 40 convictions for 70 offences on a record spanning 14 years: "If you carry on the way you are, you are not going to live past middle age."

Ryan, 29, of Ilkley Grove, Hartlepool, was already on a 12-month conditional discharge imposed in June for possession of a Class C drug.

Hartlepool Magistrates' Court heard how he stole a £500 Toshiba laptop which was on a table of the Ocean Restaurant at the Staincliffe Hotel, in Seaton Carew,.

Two weeks later, Ryan stole two bottles of spirits worth £42.97 from Manor Wines in Owton Manor Lane.

A month later, Ryan entered the JS Mann store in Hartlepool and stole a £16.49 bottle of whisky, and later the same day stole £17.70 worth of meat from Morrisons on Belle Vue Way.

The court was told that three days later he broke into a car parked on Brougham Terrace, after smashing a window and searched the vehicle.

A member of the public spotted Ryan and rang the police, who caught him in the act.

Philip Morley, prosecuting, said Ryan admitted the offences in police interview and said he had sold the laptop for £70 to pay for food.

"He has a total of 40 convictions for 70 offences, including 49 thefts and related matters from 1994 to 2008," Mr Morley added.

Ryan admitted burglary on June 24, thefts on July 11, August 27, August 30 and failing to attend a follow-up drug assessment on July 29.

John Relton, mitigating, said Ryan's offending had led to his partner throwing him out leaving him to resort to stealing and breaching curfew and bail conditions.

However, he added: "She is in court today and is very much at Mr Ryan's side."

A spokesman for the probation service said Ryan would not be suitable for a drug rehabilitation requirement as he had already turned down four appointments previously offered to him.