The son of the celebrity chef by the same name, Marco Pierre White, has avoided jail for burglaries despite being described as a “professional criminal” by the court.

White, 29, originally from Wiltshire where his famous father still owns a hotel-restaurant, burgled a piercing shop, bubble tea shop, and stole toys from Home Bargains.

He was given a 30-week jail sentence suspended for 18 months at North Somerset Magistrates' Court on November 29, having pleaded guilty to all offences.(Image: Avon and Somerset Police)

Court records state: “The defendant has a flagrant disregard for people and their property because the number and nature of the offences shows that the defendant is operating as a professional criminal.”

The first in this spate of crimes was the burglary of Behind Bars Body Piercing and Tattoo Shop on Meadow Street in Weston-super-Mare, where on September 19 he stole electrical items and jewellery. It was near where White now lives on Upper Church Road.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: “[He] was spotted by officers in a nearby street. He dropped the items and ran off but was stopped and arrested a short time later.”Marco Pierre White Jr outside Swindon Magistrates' Court on a previous appearance (Image: SWNS)

Then on October 22, he stole £149.20 worth of toys from Home Bargains on Winterstoke Road, and two days later on October 24, he burgled Pawpaw Bubble Tea on Cheap Street with intent to steal.

He was given eight weeks in jail on August 13 while living at his father’s hotel, Rudloe Arms Hotel in Corsham, for stealing socks from a Chippenham Sainsbury’s, and another theft and burglary of a pub.

Years earlier Marco featured on Celebrity Big Brother in 2016 aged 21, and was kicked out after 11 days. Four days later, he appeared in magistrates’ court for a drug driving charge.

White promised never to touch drugs again after being released from prison last year following further offences.

Now, part of his latest sentence is a non-residential drug rehabilitation order, under which he must provide samples for nine months.

His 30-week suspended sentence is made up of 10 weeks for each offence, to be served consecutively.

Investigating officer PC Joseph Reed said: “Retail crime causes immense harm to our communities and we’re committed to tackling these offences in all their forms.

“This defendant was spotted by a member of the public in the aftermath of the Weston-super-Mare burglary incident, which enabled officers to make a swift arrest. He’s now been brought to justice for three offences within a short period of time.”