A serial thief admitted stealing alcohol from several stores in a string of offences while still on parole.

Melvin Holdipp Jr, 35, pleaded guilty in Magistrates’ Court to four counts of theft between May 27 and September 9.

The court heard that on May 27, staff at the Modern Mart in Paget saw Holdipp enter the store with a backpack and go towards the liquor department, where he was seen with a bottle of Hennessy cognac in his hand.

Holdipp left the store without paying. A manager followed him but he ran from the area.

Security camera footage from the store showed Holdipp place a bottle of Hennessy and a bottle of Don Julio Reposado, worth $175, in his backpack before he left the store.

Holdipp also admitted stealing two bottles of Hennessy and a bottle of Don Julio, worth $275, from another grocer in a separate incident on July 29 and stealing three bottles of Hennessy, worth $267, in a third incident on August 25.

On September 9, staff at the Arnolds Discount Warehouse spotted Holdipp placing items from a shelf into his backpack before attempting to leave the store.

However, on this occasion he was confronted and prevented from leaving the store by staff, who informed him that police had been called.

Holdipp said that he had been told by gang members to steal underwear and shirts.

“You don’t understand. They will kill me,” he said.

A search of his bag revealed packages of white shirts, underwear and socks worth $179.

Prosecutors noted that Holdipp had a long series of previous offences and was on parole at the time of the latest thefts.

Holdipp apologised for his actions. He said that he had found work when he was last released from prison and had been doing well until he suffered a relapse.

“The work slowed up,” he continued. “I was trying to seek work. I got around the wrong people, places and things.”

Magistrate Maria Sofianos ordered an updated social inquiry report and drug assessment and released Holdipp on $2,000 bail with a surety.

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