A THIEF from Basildon went on a bizarre shoplifting spree where he took cooked chickens and face masks.

Christopher French has been jailed after a rampage around Basildon and Braintree to steal a strange array of items of food, drink and toiletries.

The 31-year-old of Longwick, Langdon Hills carried out his spree over five separate days, which also saw him attack a man when confronted.

At the time, French was under a community order as he had previously gone to a Tesco store in Braintree in August last year despite a restraining order banning him from the premises, meaning his prison term for these offences was increased.

On February 10 this year, French went to the BP service station on Nethermayne, Basildon and stole two cans of Red Bull, one bag of Hula Hoops crisps and ten cans of Fosters larger worth a total of £16.55.

However, he was caught and stopped soon after.

This theft was several weeks after French carried out a spree of shoplifting offences in Braintree.

On January 18, he stole food and drink worth £7.80 from the Tesco store in Market Place.

The next day, he returned to the same store and stole drinks, paracetamol tablets, and a face covering, worth a total of £7.25.

French was confronted by a man when shoplifting from the store on this day, but he attacked the man and made his escape.

This did not deter French, who on the following day on January 20, returned to the same store and stole a roast chicken, protein pot and drink, worth £6.60.

On January 21, he stole larger worth £5. He was also accused of stealing items from the same store the following day, but this charge was later withdrawn.

In total, French stole £43.20 worth of items in January and February.

He appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court where he admitted all counts of theft and breaching his community order.

The court also heard that previously French had attacked another man in August last year when confronted about his crimes.

The magistrates bench said French jailed him for 16 weeks in total.