THE Worcester man who avoided jail after his elderly theft victim died in a city supermarket was caught stealing within days of the hearing connected to her death.

Rory Jones was originally charged with manslaughter after stealing a purse with £200 which 77-year-old Mary Tudge had left in an unattended trolley at Tesco, in St Peter's.

But the CPS dropped the charge due to insufficient evidence, and he was given an 18-month drug treatment and testing order.

At last month's Worcester Crown Court case, Mr Justice Morland told Jones the theft had played a part in her death, but added he was sure Jones was remorseful.

But a week later - on Saturday, May 25 - the former heroin addict, who has been convicted of 25 thefts, was caught stealing boxer shorts and socks from Warndon's Tesco.

Spotted

Kiernan Cunningham told magistrates that Jones was spotted by the store's customer services manager.

Jones asked the manager why she was following him, then gave her his shopping and walked out.

Two police officers in the store became suspicious, chased him and found the goods in his jacket.

Jones, 25, of Liverpool Road, Ronkswood, admitted theft.

Nick Roberts, defending, told Worcester magistrates Jones had returned to old ways after being released from custody, penniless, following the court case.

"He was released after five months on remand and was faced with trying to gain legitimate funds.

"He couldn't get a crisis loan from the benefits agency, so the only thing he felt he could do was revert to type."

Magistrates imposed a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £50 costs.