A SERIAL thief is set to face a crown court judge after confessing to five shop raids last month.

Aaron David McKinlay, 30, of Standish Street, Radcliffe, pleaded guilty to the thefts when he appeared before Manchester magistrates.

McKinlay's victims include Tesco Express, where he stole groceries worth £40 and later coffee valued at £32, on April 25, and Asda, where he took hair straighteners worth £240, washing powder valued at £66 and £45 of meat and fish, between April 21 and 26.

He also admitted to assaulting Nathan Lawrence on April 25.

But he denied a further charge of possessing an offence weapon on the same date.

Magistrates committed McKinlay in custody for sentence to Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on the thefts and assault matter, and for trial on the weapon charge. He will appear there on June 8.