A daring thief who walked out of a jewellers with around £40,000 of precious gems has been jailed for nine months.

Drug addict Raymond Adewale had racked up 50 previous convictions for stealing over 19 years when he targeted Northgate Jewellers in Rochester.

The 58-year-old “prolific shoplifter” had only just been released from one of many prison sentences at the time of the theft on April 20 last year.

Judge Philip Statman said the owners of the small family business Ron and Vanessa Clayton had suffered profoundly as a result of the crime.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Adewale, of Mickleham Road, Orpington, went to the shop in Northgate on April 16 and said he wanted to by an engagement ring for his girlfriend.

He was shown various rings and precious gems used to make bespoke jewellery. He said he would return in a few days.

Prosecutor Danny Moore said Adewale returned four days later, chose a ring and said he would go back with his girlfriend to ensure it fitted.

But after he left Mrs Clayton discovered a box containing gems was missing. CCTV film showed Adewale going to the rear of the shop and concealing the box under his jacket.

Police identified Adewale but did not arrest him until October 1 - when he was in custody for other matters.

Mr Moore said the value of the stolen gems were put at £40-55,000, but the judge said he would sentence on the basis of the lowest figure.

He added: “He knows well fine what he gets away with. People don’t commit crime and not know what they have stolen.”

Rishi Nathwani, defending, said Adewale, who admitted theft, always knew he was going to be caught.

Adewale, he said, could have been sentenced when jailed for two years at Southwark Crown Court for shoplifting on July 19 last year.

He had been given drug treatment orders in the past and now had six months to take up a funded residential programme.

Adewale had also previously stolen two sculptures from an art gallery in Islington, North London, putting them up his jumper and walking out.

Judge Statman said: “I want to make something absolutely clear. The reason I have taken this course is because had this matter been at Southwark Crown Court a very different course would have been observed.”