EAGLE-eyed supermarket staff caught a shoplifter making a return visit — as they viewed CCTV showing his first crime several days earlier.

Andrew Mitchell, 33, first walked into Booths in Tithebarn Street, Keswick, on January 5 this year.

Mitchell was with a female pushing a trolley in which there was a “bag for life” containing bottles of alcohol valued at £307.50, Carlisle Magistrates’ Court heard.

Prosecutor Peter Kelly said: “The defendant leaves the store without offering any form of payment.

“It is not detected at that time.”

But Mitchell was identified as the culprit five days later, on January 10, as an employee viewed camera footage during the mid-afternoon.

Kelly said: “It seems the defendant is then seen back in the store as the same time as CCTV footage is being inspected."

Mitchell was caught on camera taking more alcohol, this time worth £462.50, before trying to leave the store — again without paying.

The prosecutor added: “It is apparent he is challenged and these items have been recovered."

Mitchell, of Ullswater Road, Carlisle, was charged and should have appeared before magistrates in Workington on February 7.

But when he failed to show up, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Kelly said: "He is effectively surrendering to that warrant today."

Mitchell admitted two counts of theft and was also awaiting sentence at Carlisle Crown Court for an offence of dangerous driving which occurred on April 16 last year on London Road, Petteril Bank Road, Eastern Way and Newbiggin Road in and around the city.

A warrant had also been issued on February 18 after he failed to attend the crown court to receive his punishment for that.

Mr Kelly said the dangerous driving took place as Mitchell was followed by police 'for some distance', from London Road to Dalston.

Mitchell had 108 previous offences to his name for dishonesty which, defence lawyer John Smith said, was 'the typical type of record for somebody who has had drug problems'.

Smith added: "He struggles with it."

Of Mitchell’s theft on January 10, he confirmed: “Store staff are looking at CCTV from 5th (January), and realise the same person is in the shop that day.”

Mitchell was jailed for a total of 13 weeks by District Judge John Temperley.