Judge hits out at soft jail sentences

A senior judge criticised plans to scrap short prison sentences - as he jailed a prolific Black Country thief for a year.

Judge Michael Dudley told drug addict Paul Summers he had stolen "again and again" after being repeatedly released on bail.

He told him: "You're a prolific thief. There is talk of abolishing short sentences, you're a prime example of why we can't because you keep doing it again and again."

His comments were a direct challenge to Justice Secretary Ken Clarke, who last week launched a scathing attack on Britain's "bang 'em up" prison culture.

Mr Clarke was criticised after saying he wanted to protect the public and cut reoffending through greater emphasis on rehabilitation.

But Summers' defence lawyer admitted the 37-year-old was unlikely to adhere to a community sentence. Summers admitted five thefts totalling more than £900 which began on January 29 at Tesco in Cradley Heath.

He tried to leave the store just before 1pm carrying a flatscreen TV, a box of nappies and an Easter egg with a total value of £210. When stopped by security staff hesaid: "You've got me, just ban me from the store"

Summers, of Gibbs Road, Lye, was charged and bailed, but a week later was caught trying to steal six bottles of perfume from Asda in Halesowen. He was charged and again released on on bail.

But on February 23, he stole aftershave from Boots in Dudley. He was bailed but on March 13 was caught trying to take whisky, crisps and nappies from Morrisons, Wednesbury.

Summers' spree came to an end on April 1 when he was spotted on CCTV trying to steal £349 of clothes from Bhs in Merry Hill.

Summers also admitted breaching a two-year Asbo, given to him in January last year preventing him going to Merry Hill.