A NEWPORT man with 277 previous convictions faced his 98th separate court case yesterday, and was described as "probably Gwent's most prolific offender".

Although only 26, Andrew John Paul Davies' record dated back to 1994, Newport magistrates were told.

Davies has appeared in youth and magistrates courts for offences since he was 15, including 175 convictions for theft, and has been in and out of prison since then, last being jailed for 16 weeks last December.

He was back before the court yesterday for a string of offences including burglary and a breach of an anti-social behaviour order.

Craig Bond, prosecuting, said: "He is probably Gwent's most prolific offender."

At previous hearings unemployed Davies, of Bideford Road, Maesglas, pleaded guilty to:

Burglary of HMV in Commercial Street and breaching an ASBO on August 12 last year.

Burglary of Peacocks in Maindee on November 20.

Stealing perfume from Next on January 29.

Shoplifting at the Spar shop, Clytha Park Road, Newport, on January 30. Davies also admitted breaching a drug treatment and testing order and asked for eight other offences to be taken into consideration.

Chairman of the magistrates Martin Love said Davies had an appalling record.

"We have decided the offences you have committed are so serious they deserve greater punishment than we can impose in this court."

He was committed to the crown court for sentence and remanded in custody. Sian Clarke, defending, said he understood he would receive a custodial sentence. She added Davies had suffered difficulties in his life and became embroiled in the drugs culture. Davies told the magistrate: "I don't come here for sympathy, I know I have got to be punished.

"For the last few years I have had problems with drugs. Two years ago I lost my mother to cancer and I lost my dad a couple of months ago." He added he did not want to be in and out of prison anymore and wanted to stand on his own two feet.

DURING the hearing it was revealed Davies was given six fixed penalty notices for theft between March last year and January this year - including two on subsequent days in April - despite his record of persistent offending.

None of the £120 fines was paid by a man who told the magistrates he spent most of the last year behind bars.

His solicitor Ms Clarke described her incredulity that police had chosen to deal in this way with a man who was well known to them.

Mr Love, chairman of the bench, said they were also concerned. He asked the court clerk to write to the clerk to the justices, Eddie Harding, about the issue of fixed penalty notices particularly in reference to persistent offenders.

He said: "It doesn't seem to make too much sense to us and we would like some clarification on the procedure."

Davies told the court he could only recall receiving one of the notices. He was sentenced to 28 days imprisonment for non-payment of the fines.

Fixed penalty notices for some cases of retail or commercial theft were introduced at the end of 2004. Around the same time, government minister Hazel Blears, in answer to a question in the House of Commons, said: "Police operational guidance will advise that offenders who repeatedly shoplift will not be suitable for fixed penalty disposal."

DAVIES' first conviction in 1994 was for shoplifting and his record between then and yesterday includes: 175 thefts 33 offences relating to police, courts and prison (such as failing to surrender to custody) seven drugs offences seven offences against property two frauds two weapons offences one assault.