A man who went on a shoplifting spree through Ballarat's supermarkets and discount stores has been sentenced to 15 days’ jail.
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Police prosecutor Helen Farmer said Stephen Hughes, 38, had entered Big W on the morning of June 5 this year and stole five DVDs and a Slazenger cap.
When outside the store, he wore the cap and placed the DVDs into a grey "enviro bag".
Hughes then entered The Reject Shop in Bridge Mall, where he placed hardware, stationery items and lollies into the bag.
His next stop was into Woolworths in Eastwood Street, where he placed fire lighters in the back of his pants, before transferring them to the bag once outside.
Hughes then entered Coles, where he stole ice cream, lollies and stationery.
Hughes was approached by a Coles staff member, but jumped the barrier between registers and walked to the supermarket's loading bay, before a witness dialled 000.
Police apprehended Hughes at the corner of Mair and Humffray streets and took him to the station for questioning, when the accused began to appear "unsteady on his feet".
An ambulance was called and he was taken to Ballarat Health Services Base Hospital.
Defence lawyer Scott Belcher said his client, who was already in custody on other charges, suffered depression, anxiety and an acquired brain injury from two separate attacks from groups of men in 2014.
Magistrate Cynthia Toose sentenced him to 30 days’ imprisonment, of which 15 days would be served concurrently.
