A former heroin addict stole a toy reindeer to feed his drug habit, after his wife had three affairs.
Serial shoplifter Mark Spragg from Worcester stole a £60 electric reindeer from Wilko and £195 worth of cosmetics from Boots after his marriage fell apart.
The 40-year old was caught and admitted stealing the items between December 16 and February 1 this year, after the painful split, stop him leading a "productive" life, the court heard.
Worcester Magistrates' Court heard Spragg had not touched drugs for three years - but fell off the wagon when his wife cheated on him.
Mark Sheward, defending, said: "For some years he has been a user of Class A drugs.
"Three years ago he married and settled down and managed to rid himself of drug use and lead a productive life.
"Unfortunately towards the end of last year, that marriage broke down.
"His wife had an affair with two or three other people. He found out.
"He took that badly and fell back into drug use. He tells me he will remove himself from drugs.
"He has done it before. He can do it again."
The court heard Spragg stole the toy reindeer from Wilko in Worcester on December 16 last year.
Liz Blacklock, prosecuting, said: "He was seen to pick up a boxed reindeer and leave the store without paying.
"Security guards did stop Mr Spragg and that item was recovered."
Two months later he targeted a branch of Boots in Worcester and stole a number of valuable cosmetic items.
He was handed a conditional discharge for 18 months and ordered him to pay a £22 victim surcharge.
Spragg, of Worcester, has a string of convictions for thefts dating back to 1995 and is currently paying off a £1,237 court debt for a separate offence.
