A man has admitted stealing thousands of pounds worth of stock from shops and assaulting staff.

On one occasion Thierry Piron, 35, of no fixed address, stole £400 worth of stock from Next in County Oak Retail Park, Crawley, and Marks and Spencer in Acorn Park.

On June 3, Piron stole food and alcohol from Iceland, Dorsten Square, and assaulted a member of staff and a security guard, causing minor injury.

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Then on June 6 and 9, Piron returned to Marks and Spencer and Iceland, as well as Superdry in County Mall and stole hundreds of pounds of stock.

Piron appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court on June 17 and admitted eight counts of theft and two of assault.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at a court to be fixed on July 15 for sentencing.