Judge gives "final warning" to shoplifter

A "final warning" was given to Desi Daley Wade after he pleaded guilty to stealing alcohol.

Wade pleaded guilty to two charges of shoplifting when he appeared in the Whanganui District Court on Wednesday.

His lawyer Anna Brosnahan said he and a group were travelling between New Plymouth and Palmerston North on April 17 when they stopped at the Patea liquor store.

Five boxes of premixed alcoholic drinks worth $166 were stolen.

Judge Philip Crayton said this was Wade's "final warning" to be sentenced to imprisonment.

"Matters like this are the absolute bain for store keepers and shop keepers around New Zealand."

"You know that because you've been sent to prison repeatedly for this and it is up to him whether you wants to continue putting his family through this or make some dramatic changes."

Wade was sentenced to 200 hours of community service and 12 months supervision.

"You know what a final warning means. You breach you'll go to prison for these and you'll go to prison for those."