A SERIAL shoplifter has begged to be locked up after he “hit rock bottom” when benefits sanctions left him living on £27 a week.

Kevin Morrison was remanded in custody after a court heard he was left living in uninhabitable conditions following the sanctions.

The 33-year-old brought two bags with him when he appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court after admitting shoplifting in Irvine.

Morrison admitted stealing a quantity of meat from the Asda supermarket at the Rivergate on March 28 this year.

He also nicked a quantity of alcohol from the Tesco store at the Riverway Retail Park the following day – then returned to Asda to steal another haul of groceries on April 2.

The Times previously reported how the Irvine man had made off with a varied list of goods, including headphones, food and Marvel Action figures, from stores in Irvine and Ayr in November and December of 2021.

Sentence was deferred until this week’s hearing after a judge asked for a background social work report on Morrison’s current situation.

Defence solicitor Peter Murray said: “He pleaded guilty to this complaint at the intermediate diet. 

“He was recently placed on a community payback order for directly analogous matters.  

“Mr Morrison has really hit rock bottom. His house is uninhabitable, and since the sanctions, he has been left with £27 a week to live on and is struggling. 

“His position to me is he wishes to be remanded. He was very, very clear on that.” 

Sheriff Nicola Patrick said: “There is a basis for me [to remand], having failed to attend for reports.” 

Sentence was further deferred for the reports previously ordered, with Morrison now set to be brought back to court next month.