A DESPERATE father stole baby milk and other items for himself and his children after being evicted from his home.

Jamie Nightingale also committed criminal damage while trying to break into his former home with a piece of wood.

Mr Nightingale, 24, planned to sell some of the stolen goods to pay for tickets to see his children, who were moved after the eviction.

The defendant, who lives in Droitwich, was found guilty of six counts of theft committed across the county last month.

David Ollivere, defending, said: “In recent history he has experienced the most difficult period in his young life.

“He has had a very real and traumatic event in recent times which has led to difficulty for him.”

Mr Nightingale’s children, aged three, two and 16-weeks-old, were placed in the care of his partner’s mother after he was evicted.

The defence said the man committed criminal damage in a bid to retrieve his belongings from the dwelling, which he had lived in three years.

David Devine, prosecuting, said: “Mr Nightingale was a resident of a property managed by Fortis Living. He was lawfully evicted but left some stuff there.”

Mr Devine said Fortis secured the property with metal sheets but the defendant used a piece of wood to open it up.

The prosecution said this was despite Fortis making an arrangement for Mr Nightingale to collect his things.

Mr Nightingale was ordered to pay £162.27 in compensation and was given 20 extra rehabilitation activity requirement days.

The defendant also has to pay an £85 surcharge, £135 in costs and complete a further 25 rehabilitation days from a previous community order.

His last custodial sentence was in 2015 and he was last before the courts on August 31.

Mr Ollivere and a probation officer said the defendant was responding well to rehabilitation.

The magistrates said it was good Mr Nightingale had not offended for four weeks and added that he was reaching a crucial point.

The defendant stole alcohol from a co-op store in Worcester, groceries from a co-op in Malvern, alcohol from Aldi in Worcester, baby milk from Asda in Worcester and food from B&M Bargains in Worcester.

The damage to the metal shutters at the property in Malvern cost around £75.

Mr Nightingale appeared at Worcester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, October 13.