A FORMER Winchester teenager has been given a last chance to avoid prison after admitting a string of shop thefts.

Jordan Bell, 19, pleaded guilty to seven thefts of mainly alcohol from Winchester shops including the Co-op on City Road and Debenhams on the High Street between July 25 and September 15.

Magistrates jailed him for 12 weeks but suspended the sentence for 12 months.

Bell, now living in Petersfield, will also be electronically tagged from 7pm to 7am for eight weeks.