A THIEF stole around £1,000 worth of merchandise in a series of shoplifting raids in Greenock and Port Glasgow.

Martin Gannon, 27, helped himself to expensive electrical gear at B&Q, Boots and Superdrug in 2016, 2017 and this year.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard how Gannon — who has been barred from the Oak Mall — stole to feed a drug habit.

His lawyer, Aidan Gallagher, pleaded for him to be spared jail, stating that he was suitable for a drug treatment and testing order (DTTO) instead.

Mr Gallagher said: "Either he complies all-in or he is sentenced to a not short period of custody.

"He has complied today, he has attended court, and all things considered, this would be a one-time opportunity with an early review to see if that opportunity can continue."

Gannon, of East Shaw Street in Greenock, stole a quantity of electrical items from B&Q last August.

During a string of raids on Boots in the Oak Mall - on December 30, 31 and January 2 - he pinched electric shavers.

He previously took an electric shaver from Superdrug in the Mall.

Sheriff Derek Hamilton noted that Gannon's spree at B&Q occurred while he was on bail regarding another criminal matter and that the value of the thefts 'puts a different reflection on this'.

Solicitor Mr Gallagher had told the court previously: "The background here is one of drugs and he had a desperate need to feed his habit.

"That is what accounts for his offending."

Sheriff Hamilton told Gannon that he would give him 'one opportunity' to comply with the rigours of a DTTO and set it for a period of two years for the B&Q thefts.

He ordered him to complete 75 hours of unpaid work on the Superdrug matter and deferred sentence on the Boots raids for him to be of good behaviour.

The sheriff warned Gannon: "These matters will come back to me.

"If you have not been of good behaviour it will be 12 months custody for you."

A review hearing is due to take place on July 11.