A MAN from Kidderminster has been jailed for stealing hundreds of pounds worth of power tools and women's perfumes.

John Rowberry, of Humphries Drive, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft when he appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, September 17.

The 40-year-old admitted stealing £279 worth of power tools from Halfords in Evesham on February 21 this year.

He also stole various bottles of ladies' fragrances to the value of £515 from Boots in Malvern on January 19.

Rowberry also pleaded guilty to stealing four wheels and tyres from a Nissan car at the Citroen dealership in Kidderminster on April 13.

He was subject to a suspended sentence at the time for two further thefts from shops, both involving women's perfumes.

Magistrates sentenced Rowberry to a total of 28 weeks in prison.

They said his crimes were made more serious by the high value of the items stolen, the fact that he was "stealing to order" and due to his previous record of offending.

In another case at the magistrates' court, a Kidderminster man was handed a community order for causing damage to a car he took without permission.

Michael Thompson, aged 54, of Sutton Park Road, pleaded guilty to taking a Honda Jazz in Kidderminster on January 31 and causing damage worth less than £5,000 to the vehicle.

He also admitted driving the car while being more than twice the legal alcohol limit and while he was disqualified from driving and without insurance.

Thompson further pleaded guilty to another case of drink driving on March 15 in Bewdley.

He also admitted one count of assault by beating against a woman in Kidderminster on April 18 and to causing damage to the woman's car.

A community order was made, requiring Thompson to undergo rehabilitation activity. He was also banned from driving for 24 months and was ordered to pay £700 for the assault and the damage caused to the woman's car.

He must pay a further £100 fine plus £1,200 in court costs and a victim surcharge of £90.