TWO men who stole alcopops in an incident where a man was assaulted, have been given community orders.

Benjamin Robert Griffiths, of Glasfryn Terrace, Caego, Wrexham, and Nathan Malcolm Heywood, of Bridge Street, Llangollen, had both pleaded guilty to stealing alcopops with a value of £25.67 prior to sentencing at Wrexham Magistrates Court.

Griffiths had also pleaded guilty to assault.

The court heard that on February 5, David Barlow, along with two other young men, bought the alcopops from the Asda store on Holt Road, Wrexham, .

Matthew Ellis, prosecuting, said the group became aware they were being followed by another group of men, one of whom asked them to hand over the alcopops.

In the incident that followed, Mr Barlow was said to have been headbutted and sustained pain and discomfort in the assault.

Griffiths, 20, had only pleaded guilty to his involvement in the assault under the acceptance he had not carried out the headbutt, with another defendant, Marcus Partyka, having been sentenced at an earlier date.

Melissa Griffiths, representing Benjamin Griffiths, said her client was under the influence of alcohol and his involvement in the incidents was an “impulsive act”.

She said Griffiths maintained Partyka was the person who heatbutted Mr Barlow but Griffiths “accepts he joined in the spoils”.

Justine McVitie, representing Heywood, 28, said her client was not involved in the assault.

She added that her client did accept being involved in stealing the alcopops and had ongoing alcohol and drugs problems which he was looking to deal with by going on a rehabilitation course.

Griffiths was ordered by magistrates to follow a 12 month community order, with a requirement he is supervised, undergoes substance abuse support and completes a subject workbook.

He was also told to pay £85 costs and £63 compensation for the theft and assault.

Heywood also received a 12-month community order with supervision and a drug rehabilitation requirement for 12 months. He was ordered to pay £100 costs and £13 compensation.