A MAN who stole a bunch of lilies from the front of a shop has been sentenced to prison.

Christopher John Williams (38), of Main Street, Lack, was convicted of attempted theft, criminal damage, going equipped for theft, theft, and resisting police in relation to three separate incidents.

It was heard on October 27 last, staff at Tesco, Enniskillen were alerted to a male who was trying to steal a coffee machine and had cut the tag with scissors. When staff tried to stop him, he ran out, got into a car and drove off.

Police contacted Williams by identifying him through the car number plate. He told them it was a stupid mistake and he had no excuse. He was arrested for the offences and admitted them all.

Then, on December 6, staff at Eurospar in Lisnaskea reported a bunch of stolen lilies from the front of the shop. CCTV footage showed Williams lift the flowers with no attempt made to pay for them.

Again, he made full admissions, and said he was "buying them for his girlfriend".

Finally, on January 8, police were called to Lisnaskea to reports of a vehicle stopped on the road. Further enquiries located Williams hiding in a wardrobe in his girlfriend's house.

While being arrested, he broke free and ran off, before being caught again 100 metres away.

Williams's solicitor, Sean McHugh, told the court the attempted theft in Tesco had an "element of opportunism" about it.

He said Williams had noticed the coffee machine and went to his car to get the scissors before being spotted by staff.

Mr. McHugh said it was "amateurish", and Williams was always going to be apprehended.

In relation to the flowers, Mr. McHugh said it coincided with breaches of bail, and Williams instructed he was going to his girlfriend's house due to concerns about her mental health.

Finally, the most recent incident also coincided with a breach of bail, with Mr. McHugh saying it was "foolish" of Williams to try and attempt to evade police when he was always going to be apprehended.

Mr. McHugh said his client's offending had "tapered off" in recent years, and asked the court for credit with how Williams dealt with the matter.

District Judge Steven Keown sentenced Williams to three months' custody.