A COWDENBEATH man who went on a two-week shoplifting spree to fund his drug habit has been jailed for nine months.

Barry Laidlaw targeted various Co-op stores and stole items worth around £700.

Laidlaw, 43, of Pretoria Place, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court where he admitted a string of thefts.

On March 14 at the Co-op Group, Bank Street, Lochgelly, he stole a quantity of deodorant.

The same day, he stole quantities of meat from the Co-op stores on Shamrock Street, Robertson Road and Pilmuir Street in Dunfermline.

On March 16, at Asda superstore, Halbeath Retail Park, he stole razor blades.

On March 19, he stole meat from the Co-op in Shamrock Street.

On March 23, he stole coffee from the Co-op in North Street, Lochgelly.

On March 24, he stole meat from the Co-op in Shamrock Street and he returned there again four days later to steal some more meat.

Defence solicitor James Moncrieff said his client had a long-standing drugs problem. “He was stealing to fund his heroin addiction. He’s aware he has a bad record,” he added.

Sheriff Charles MacNair said: “You have a truly dreadful record.”