Adam Spencer, 40, was arrested in Nottinghamshire following a string of burglaries and shop thefts.

He targeted Tesco, Asda and Iceland stores in Sutton-in-Ashfield, taking hundreds of pounds of stock.

Spencer took 17 pots of Pringles during one of the thefts, which he later admitted when questioned by police — telling them “once you pop, you can’t stop”, the snack’s famous advertising slogan from 1996 until 2022.

He tried to escape police on a bicycle but was caught by officers pursuing him on foot, leading to his arrest and subsequent conviction at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court last week.

The thief was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment suspended for 12 months.