An 18-year-old thief has been given a community order after stealing cash, scratch cards and cigarettes valued at £3,500 from the Ipswich Co-op where he worked.

Magistrates were told Stephen Jackson, of Troon Gardens, Ipswich, could not give a reason why he had stolen the items from the store in Selkirk Road over a period of eight months.

The teenager was sentenced at South East Suffolk Magistrates Court after previously pleading guilty to theft by employee between January 1 and August 28 this year.

When asked by the magistrates if he had anything to say he replied: “There’s nothing I can say, but apologise for my actions.”

Prosecutor Lesla Small said staff had become suspicious money was being taken from the store.

CCTV was scrutinised which coincided with the disappearances and Jackson’s shifts.

At the end of one shift he was asked to transport the takings to the back of the store where cashing up takes place.

Ms Small said at that point Jackson took some of the cash.

He admitted doing so when questioned by Co-op security staff and also admitted taking scratch cards and cigarettes previously.

Jackson told police he was not sure how much he had taken overall, but he did say he had stolen an average of £40 each time he had done so.

The court heard Jackson thought he had stolen between £1,000 and £2,000.

He had said he took the money as and when he needed it.

He told officers he had used the cash to pay his mum’s rent, and also spent it on food and clothes.

Jackson also admitted taking around five packs of cigarettes a month and about 20 to 30 scratch cards.

Magistrates were told he had said he had no particular reason for taking the items as he was not short of money and was not in financial difficulties.

Jackson, now a part-time labourer, was sentenced to a 12-month community order with supervision and must undertake a thinking skills programme.

He was also ordered to pay £3,500 compensation to the Co-op, £85 costs and £60 to the victims’ fund.