A REPEAT offender with a 'formidable' record was caught with multiple blades after drunkenly stealing £6 worth of costume jewellery from Primark in Greenock.

Christopher Leishman appeared from custody to plead guilty to three indictment charges at the sheriff court.

The 34-year-old is today set to be spared a further prison sentence and given a chance to break his cycle of crime. 

As well as the low cost jewellery, Leishman also stole clothes from Primark before being caught in unlawful possession of a screwdriver and two utility knife blades.

Prosecutor Maria Murdoch told the court that Leishman entered the shop 'in an intoxicated state' at 9.30am on June 14 with a large black holdall.

The fiscal depute said: "He made his way to the jewellery station and removed a packet of five gold-coloured rings valued at £2.50.

"A further packet of three gold rings valued at £3.50 was also taken and these were concealed within the bag.

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"A sales assistant's attention was drawn to the accused due to his level of intoxication.

"The witness put out a radio call to alert other staff members that he was suspected of shoplifting.

"He made his way to the next floor where he removed four packets of pyjamas valued at £12 each."

A security supervisor from the Oak Mall then attended the store and removed Leishman before police officers were able to identify him from CCTV footage.

The thief was later found on the public footpath near to the entrance to Tesco in Dalrymple Street.

Ms Murdoch added: "He was detained and searched and located in his right trouser pocket were two utility knife blades, with the cutting edge on each measuring six centimetres.

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"There was also a red-handled screwdriver recovered from his bag.

"He was charged and replied: 'I didn't even know I had them on me.'"

Defence solicitor Ian Brechany told the court: "This man has a terrible record, one which does him no favours, if any record could.

"It is one which is formidable.

"The offences were committed at a time when he was in relapse.

"Since being in custody he has managed to pull himself together."

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After hearing that a residential rehab placement has been lined up in Kilmacolm, Sheriff Simon Pender agreed that 'something else needs to be tried' to curb Leishman's offending.

The sheriff said: "It is worth exploring whether we can interrupt that cycle.

"You obviously realise this is a terrible record over many, many years.

"It would be very easy for me to hand out a custodial sentence as has happened many times before."

Sentence was deferred until August 28 for the preparation of background reports and Leishman will remain in custody until then.