He tore open hundreds of packages on the shelves of supermarkets in Tampines to vent frustration after failing to land a job. Unable to sell the damaged items, the supermarkets had to write off a total of nearly $800 in losses.

Even after being charged in court, Ng Peng Soon, 40, continued his vandalism spree.

In a district court on Friday, he pleaded guilty to two new charges of committing mischief. Earlier on Dec 24 , he had admitted to five counts of mischief and three counts of theft. He had stolen a bottle of brandy and computer games.

He was sentenced to a year in jail on Friday and the one-month jail term for theft was ordered to run concurrently.

The court heard that he had told police that he ripped open the packages because he was angry and frustrated that he could not find a job due to his criminal record.

Since 2003, he has been jailed six times for theft and damaging items in shops. His latest offences began shortly after he was released from prison on Sept 4, having already served 81/2 months.