A thief who took a charity collecting box containing about £30 from a shop has been given a four-month electronic curfew.

Judge Simon James told Jason McRobbie, 32, that stealing from charities was a particularly mean offence.

Her said: “You are beyond last chance now and if you breach this order you will be brought back and I will impose a custodial sentence.”

McRobbie, of Squires Way, Dover, admitted stealing the charity box in aid of Tankerton Football Club from Thais R Us in Lower Bridge Street, Canterbury, on August 3.

He also admitted stealing a RNLI charity collecting box from Dover, a Royal Marsden Hospital collecting box from Canterbury and one other from Dover and asked for these offences to be considered.

Keith Yardy, prosecuting, said staff at Thais R Us Oriental Grocers noticed the collecting box was missing and when they checked CCTV saw McRobbie come into the shop and put it in his bag.

The next day, when he realised his picture was being circulated in a police appeal, he went to Dover police station and admitted the theft and also said he’d taken the other charity boxes. He also admitted breaching a suspended prison sentence.

Phil Rowley, defending, said McRobbie had taken the charity boxes because he was in rent arrears and was trying to pay them off.

McRobbie had not attended his drug sessions at Turning Point because he did not have a travel warrant.

“The overall picture suggests some degree of disengagement with the probation service,” Mr Rowley said.

“The probation service is concerned that his non-appearance at sessions is through drug use but he says he is not using drugs.”

McRobbie’s curfew is from 8pm-6am for four months.