“He clearly didn’t want to face the consequences of his actions.”

A prolific shoplifter wore a wig in an ill-fated attempt to disguise his identity while he stole meat from an Ilkeston store.

Warren Medcroft donned a long brown wig when he stole £44.70 worth of mince meat, beef steaks and beef burgers from the One Stop store in Nottingham Road on October 4.

But the wig was not enough to stop the 39-year-old being identified as the person responsible for the theft as he was instantly recognised by an officer who viewed the CCTV footage of the incident.

Medcroft’s stealing spree saw him commit 15 offences within the space of a month – all at the Asda or One Stop stores in Nottingham Road – with him taking items including baby milk, washing products and butter.

His attempts to evade justice didn’t just end at the wig either – he also tried to avoid being arrested by hiding in a wardrobe.

But Derbyshire police officers soon found his not so cosy hiding place and he was arrested .

Medcroft, of no fixed address, appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on October 8 where he admitted 15 counts of shop theft.

He was handed a 12-month community order with a rehabilitation requirement and was ordered to pay compensation to the shops.

PC Charlotte Watson, who led the investigation, said: “Shoplifting has a real impact on the businesses in our community and I know that the two stores who were repeatedly targeted by Medcroft will have definitely been left counting the cost.

“He clearly didn’t want to face the consequences of his actions – trying to use a wig and hiding in a wardrobe to evade detection and capture.

“But officers soon caught up with him and he has now been sentenced for his crimes.

“I hope the rehabilitation requirement will help him to address his behaviour and see the error of his ways.”