A MAN was behind bars again yesterday, two months after he was released from prison, after he admitted three offences.

Harrogate magistrates heard how Andrew McLoughlin, 41, walked out of the town's Asda store with a £9.98 case of lager on July 28 and stole from the store again on Monday.

Harvey Murray, prosecuting, said that each time the crime had been captured on security camera.

On Monday, police caught McLoughlin as he walked towards his flat in nearby East Parade.

He told officers that a friend had given him the lager that morning, but later said he stole it. A search revealed he had a lock-knife in his pocket, but he was unable to tell police why he was carrying it.

McLoughlin admitted two counts of theft and one of carrying a knife.

David Camidge, in mitigation, said his client had been released from prison in June and used the knife for carving sticks and skinning rabbits while camping.

He said McLoughlin accepted he would be jailed again.

McLoughlin was jailed for four months.