UNEMPLOYED Londoner John Gee lost his partner and their 17-month-old child when he shamed them by attempting to steal from a series of Chippenham shops, a court heard.

At Chippenham Magistrates Court on Monday Gee, 26, of Hornsea Road, in London, pleaded guilty to receiving a cloned credit card, obtaining property through deception and attempted deception with a credit card .

He also admitted a further five offences of a similar nature, which took place on the same day March 4 this year.

Prosecuting, Becky Abbott told the court Gee went into Argos, in Borough Parade, at 4pm, and tried to buy a DVD video recorder worth £299 with a credit card.

Staff were unhappy with the card and the defendant left the store. A description of his car was passed to police, who stopped it on the M4.

Miss Abbott said officers searched Gee and discovered £100 of gift vouchers in his pockets. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted deception.

A search of the car boot revealed more vouchers, including four £25 Dorothy Perkins ones, ten £5 Boots ones and eight £25 Burtons vouchers.

Burtons told police that Gee had used a credit card to buy the vouchers and his signature had matched the one on the card.

In his interview with police, the court heard that Gee obtained the cloned card from someone at his local snooker club. He said he had practised copying the signature on it.

Defending, Tim Hammick said most shopkeepers had noticed that Gee was nervous and shaking. He said it was because this was something Gee did not normally get involved in.

Mr Hammick said Gee gave up his work 17 months ago, when his child was born, and that his crime spree was out of desperation, as he tried to get money for his family. But Gee's partner was unimpressed with his actions and the couple have now separated.

The case has been adjourned for a pre-sentence report.