The Sock Man receives his sentence

A serial shoplifter has become known as "the sock man" – because of his penchant for stealing pairs of socks from a Black Country clothes shop.

Staff at the Ethel Austin branch in High Street, Bloxwich, were put on guard when Mark Williams entered the store and made his way to the sock section.

Williams appeared at Walsall Magistrates Court, where he pleaded guilty to stealing three pairs of socks worth £18 from the store on May 29.

Now the 25-year-old drug addict, from Keats Road, has told the Express & Star he was a changed man and was no longer targeting the shop.

He hopes to put his offence behind him and move on with his life.

Mr Jason Corden-Bowen, prosecuting, told how the manager of Ethel Austin would inform other security when Williams entered the store.

He said: "She would inform staff by saying "he is in there – the sock man."

Mr Corden-Bowen added staff were put on alert when he entered the store.

He went on: "On this occasion he stole three pairs of socks worth £18 and has left the store.

"He has been apprehended outside by security staff who have then called the police.

"When he was arrested he admitted the offence and said he was planning to sell them on for £12."

Williams has a number of convictions for shoplifting offences at shops across the borough, three of which took place last year.

Mr Richard Quinn, defending, said: "He is sorry for what he has done and is planning to make changes to his life."

Magistrates told Williams he would be carrying out a community order of 12 months, which would include addressing his drug problems.

He was also told to complete 120 hours of unpaid work for the community.

There were court costs of £60 to pay and £18 compensation for the socks.

Speaking after the case, unemployed Williams said: "I am getting off the drugs now and I want to start making changes to my life.

"There isn't a particular reason why I stole the socks, but I know staff do call me the 'sock man.'

"I have been in there quite a few times before. But I want to try and move forward now and put this all behind me."