A Preston man who has racked up his 425th criminal conviction was described to magistrates as having the worst record they are ever likely to come across.
Patrick Ryan has committed 604 offences to earn those convictions.
The latest was as recent as last Saturday when he went shoplifting.
Ryan, 56, of Friary Street, Preston, was arrested after he went into Booths supermarket in Poulton-le-Fylde and stole bottle of Martini and six packets of crisps worth £8.56.
Ryan admitted the theft and Blackpool’s magistrates jailed him for 28 days.
As he was taken down to the cells Ryan told the justices: “Thanks for being so lenient.”
Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said that Ryan had walked out of the store with the stolen items.
He was arrested when police were called to a Chinese takeaway where they found him collapsed on the floor.
Kathryn Sinclair-Jamieson, defending, said: “This man has probably got the worst record this court has ever seen
“He has seen the CCTV of what he did and accepts total responsibility.
“Sending him to prison really does not do anything to assist him or assist society.”
A previous court hearing in which Ryan was involved in 2009 heard that he has had a “lengthy battle with alcohol” which has proved to be the “bane of his life”.
Ryan is one of the country’s most heavily convicted criminals. Previous courts have heard his method of operation usually involves eating and drinking at restaurants and then telling the owners he cannot pay.
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