A “PROLIFIC” offender who posed as a supermarket employee before stealing more than £2,000 worth of goods has been jailed again.

Stuart Nicholson, of Nursery Close, Oxford, appeared at Oxford Magistrates’ Court yesterday after admitting three counts of theft between July and December, when he targeted supermarket Sainsbury’s, beauty store Boots and retailer Game.

It comes after the 39-year-old was jailed for a drink-fuelled rampage through Tesco Metro, in Cowley Road, just five months ago.

Prosecutor Sarah Mackay told the court Nicholson stole £2,715.48 worth of games consoles and games from Sainsbury’s Heyford Hill after entering the supermarket through a rear door at 11.30pm on July 19.

She said Nicholson put on a high visibility jacket and a Sainsbury’s fleece before walking around the store with a trolley and stealing the goods.

Mrs Mackay said the defendant, who was described by police officers as a “prolific offender”, targeted Boots, in Cornmarket Street, and stole £543.16 worth of perfume on November 20.

The prosecutor said he unwrapped fragrance boxes and removed their security tags before slipping the wrappings under a display unit, with police later recovering 15 stolen items from Nicholson.

Mrs Mackay said Nicholson stole two jumpers worth £70 from Templars Square Shopping Centre’s Game store on December 1.

She said the defendant hid the jumpers in his jacket but was caught by the shopping centre’s security guard.

Tim Baker, defending, said Nicholson had “struggled” with a Class A drug addiction for “pretty much all of his life” and is currently on a methadone prescription.

He said the defendant, who was handed his first conviction in 1991, had appeared before the courts on “quite a regular basis” but was not a prolific offender.

Mr Baker added: “These offences were motivated by his Class A drug addiction and his need to fund his habit.”

He said Nicholson, who was often alone in his flat, developed an alcohol addiction while suffering from depression.

Nicholson was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison and was ordered to pay a £180 criminal courts charge and an £80 victim surcharge.

Earlier this year, Nicholson was jailed for 26 weeks after admitting two counts of assault by beating and two thefts following a rampage in East Oxford’s Tesco Metro store on July 21.