Bishop, of Beech Drive, Hothfield, near Ashford, was charged with shoplifting and pleaded guilty when he appeared before magistrates in Folkestone on October 20.

Julie Farbrace, prosecuting, said: “On October 6, he entered a Co-op store in Ashford and selected the items and left without making an attempt to pay and was identified via CCTV.”

The court also heard Bishop was in court earlier this year when he was sentenced over other offences.

The prosecutor added: “On convictions numbers 74, 75 and 76, he was made subject to a suspended sentence and a community order.

“Then, on August 5, he was resentenced over conviction 76 and was given custody, so he’s subject to licence and will become a serving prisoner as his recall is going through.”

Donna Wilde, defending, told the court her client was stuck in a revolving door.

She added: “He’s a crack cocaine and heroin user and sometimes would spend £300 a day on the drugs.

“He’s in court, goes to prison, comes out, has no income, no address and offends again; the cycle continues.

“His mum wouldn’t allow him back, so he stole to eat, but he’s now back with mum.

“He’s constantly in and out of prison.”

The court also heard Bishop was given a community order for other offences in July, which included a drug rehabilitation requirement, but he failed to attend any appointments.

As Bishop was being recalled back into custody, magistrates decided to make a compensation order only and told him he must pay back £53.50 to the Co-op.

It was not stated during the hearing when he would be released.