Stephen Haugh, 30, of no fixed abode, also pleaded guilty to a breach of the Bail Act when he appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court.

The court heard how the three thefts occurred in April and May this year when Haugh stole lager and vodka from Costcutters, Aldi and Sainsbury's in Cramlington while he was subject to a community order.

Prosecutor Claire Thomasson told the court that the public order offence took place in the accident and emergency department at Wansbeck General Hospital at around 2pm on April 24 after Haugh had been discharged.

Ms Thomasson said the porter had called for a taxi to take the defendant home but the driver had refused after Haugh told him he had no money.

She said that Haugh went back inside where he was asked by a nurse if he was alright, at which point he became abusive and shouted: "You may as well ring the police or I will smash the window – I'm going to kick off."

Haugh acted threateningly towards security guards calling them 'nonces' and 'alcoholics' and approached the porter with clenched fists.

When police arrived and arrested him Haugh told them: "You had better lock me up."

Alan Brown, defending, said: "The matters of dishonesty are low level and all subject to guilty pleas and were all admitted in the process of police interviews.

"He was homeless and had an alcohol problem at the time, along with an advancing problem in relation to drugs.

"His was a disadvantaged upbringing in which he looked for peer approval influencing most of his offending."

Mr Brown explained that Haugh suffers from a lung condition and would effectively end his life were he not to modify his behaviour.

He said: "The authorities have caught up with him and he has been in Durham Prison since June 16.

"He has not enjoyed his time there and he has been a threat and threatened in that environment.

"He has not under the circumstances licked his wounds and taken drugs available in prison and he has been alcohol free."

Mr Brown added that Haugh's partner had recently told him she is pregnant and he is committed to clean up his act as a result.

"There is no question that this is a significant piece of news that could in prospect have a significant impact," he added.

"They will look to obtain accommodation of their own so they can start life together as a family unit."

Magistrates said on sentencing Haugh: "These offences are so serious that only custody is appropriate.

"This is due to your prolific offending and your inability to engage with community orders and the fact that one of the offences took place in a hospital."

Haugh was sentenced to a total of 26 weeks imprisonment for the offences, taking into account the 14 days he had already served behind bars while on remand.