A MAN who stole nearly £2,000 worth of cosmetics and stationery during a spate of thefts has been told he’ll have to pay nothing back.

John Robert Milligan, whose address was given as High East Street in Dorchester, appeared before Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on Friday, February 3 for sentencing. 

Milligan, 39, was back in court after stealing £410 worth of stationery on October 17 of last year from WHSmith on St Mary Street. In doing so he was in breach of a community order imposed last September.

The community order relates to 14 previous thefts, predominantly from Boots and Superdrug stores in Dorchester, totalling the value of £1,577.67. Milligan was told he wouldn’t have to pay anything back due to ‘limited means’.

In sentencing him for his latest offence, chairman of the Magistrates' bench Louis Dutton imposed no fine, compensation or costs upon the defendant on the basis of his inability to pay.

Instead Milligan was made subject to a renewed community order, lasting until February 2024, during which time he will have to carry out 220 hours of unpaid work and will be required to complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.