A thief who attempted a “trolley dash” at Tesco to fund his drug habit has been ordered to complete a community order.

Paul Topham entered Tesco store in Cefn Mawr and was seen loading a trolley full of goods.

“It was a trolley dash type scenario,” said prosecutor Justin Espie, who added that all the items were recovered.

Topham, 40, of York Street, Wrexham admitted the theft of goods worth £127.20 from Tesco on June 1 this year. He also pleaded guilty to failing to surrender to the custody of Wrexham Magistrates’ Court on July 20 this year as well as a breach of a conditional discharge.

Christie Ankers-Phillips, defending, said that Topham was a heroin addict and was “struggling”.

“Some of the food was for himself and some of it was to sell on.

“He is hoping for help,” she said.

District Judge Huw Edwards, sitting at Flintshire Magistrates’ Court, agreed and told Topham to engage with the probation service and complete 20 days of rehabilitation activities as part of the 12-month order.

He also fined him £50 and ordered he pay £85 costs and a victim surcharge of £35.