A REDDITCH man described by a judge as a "capable conman as well as a skilful thief" has been given a suspended jail sentence at Worcester Crown Court.

21-year-old sales assistant Baden Robinson, of Salters Lane, admitted nine allegations of theft - stealing items said to be worth a total of £3,121 from vehicles.

The goods he stole included satellite navigation systems, cash, sun glasses, two ipads, an ipod, clothing and a projector.

Andrew Brotherton, prosecuting, told the court police found "numerous" stolen items at Robinson's home after he was arrested for an unrelated matter.

Most of the offences took place in November and December 2013 but one, in New Road, Astwood Bank, happened on April 10 last year.

Julia Powell, defending, said Robinson was now working at a chemist's in Redditch and his employers knew about the charges against him.

He was now "trying desperately" to move away from his earlier behaviour and was staying on the sofa at the home of another young man who had "taken him under his wing."

As a result of the friendship, he had moved away from the "negative influences" on his life, she added.

Judge Robert Juckes QC gave Robinson a nine-month jail sentence suspended for 12 months, during which time he will be under supervision from the probation service.

He was ordered to do 75 hours unpaid work in the community and to pay £1,000 costs and an £80 victim impact surcharge.

Robinson will further remain on a 10pm to 5am curfew for three months.

The judge told Robinson that, for a large part of his life, he had turned to theft every time he needed money and it appeared that attention deficit during his childhood influenced his behaviour.

"You are quite a capable conman as well as a skilful thief," added the judge.