A drug-addled thief who tried to steal a jacuzzi in Letchworth has been jailed for more than half a year.

Mark Wakefield was stopped by security at Letchworth’s Morrisons store after bypassing the checkouts with the £280 ‘home spa’ at about 4.30pm on Saturday.

The 46-year-old tried to run off, but was caught by a guard and arrested after police arrived. He admitted the theft on Monday at Hatfield Remand Court and was jailed for 30 weeks.

Chairman of the bench Bridget Von Maydell noted Wakefield’s prior record and that he had continued to offend persistently while “subject to suspended sentences and community orders with requirements put in place to assist with his drug addictions and personal circumstances”.

Wakefield, of Cleves Road in Hemel Hempstead, had received a community sentence on February 1 for stealing meat and two TVs in Hemel Hempstead, and was given another community order on March 19 after being convicted of fraud, failing to attend court and stealing another four TVs.

The next day, March 20, he stole food and a vacuum cleaner from Sainsbury’s in London Colney – for which he was given a 16-week jail term, suspended for 12 months, on March 21.

Dr Von Maydell activated the suspended sentence while also imposing 14 weeks’ jail time, including four weeks in lieu of fines totalling more than £5,000, to make a total 30-week sentence.

The court made no order for compensation, costs or surcharge due to Wakefield’s lack of means.